Credit: X
For as long as Joe Root remains at the crease, he will, more often than not, emerge as the root cause of India's troubles in this forthcoming test series. While this series may not feature some of the most sensational, seasoned and venerable legends of the game on either side- such as Stuart Broad, Virat Kohli, James Anderson and Rohit Sharma, it suffices to observe that a certain Joe Root is there.
And he is going strong. Having already struck over 13,000 runs for England in the classical, long format of the sport, Joe Root's presence as the elderly statesman in the Ben Stokes-led team will spur his unit to perform to even greater heights.
What could be more interesting, captivating and delightful to note the blazing right-hander's records in Test match cricket at venues such as Headingley's Leeds, which will be hosting the first Test between England and India from June 20 to 24
The former captain, the man in whose hands the cricket bat seems like a sword and one whose patience levels liken him to be compared with monks; the word that defines the tall right-handed Joe Root is "resilience".
And there's a reason one says that, not out of pure blind love!
As a matter of fact, the frequent run scorer, someone with an edge where it comes to technical skills and the ability to play strokes around the wicket, Joe Root feels rather comfortable (or at home) at Leeds.
Know why?
Joe Root's Test records at Headingley
Well, for starters, there's this familiarity that Joe Root brings in an England shirt, having represented his country here in no fewer than 17 Test match innings.
Even as he's played, for instance, more innings at an Old Trafford (19, to be precise), his returns with the bat at Leeds are tremendous and point to his state of sheer dominance.
And how is that?
He's already scored 682 Test runs from 10 Tests at Leeds. He needs another 18 runs to cross 700 runs at this venue. Which is a lot. He's also hit 2 good centuries in the past here, at a venue where, lest it is forgotten, there's bounce and movement often from day one and becomes hard to score in the second inning of the game.
Joe Root's highest score here at Headingley happens to be- 121, his last big score at the venue and do you know what?
This ton actually came against India.
Bumrah removed the biggest thaw in India's path back then, circa 2021, but the 121 by Joe Root was an inning laced with such focus and precision that it helped England thump India by an innings and 76 runs.
Although, back then, India were served by Pujara, 91 in that very Leeds contest and Kohli, 55 in the game, it was a Joe Root masterclass that overcame India's decent challenge. Unless not curtailed in his path early on, Root could cause more damage this time around as well.
Remember, he's in good form and plus, he's no longer the captain of the English side.
By that logic, he'd bat comfortably with a sense of freedom, to whatever extent India's Bumrah and company can allow him and thereafter, we shall see!
