Joe Root Sends Warning To Team India Ahead Of Tour: "Our Record At Home..."

As star England batter Joe Root gears up for an action-packed year of Test cricket featuring home series against India and an away Ashes series against Australia, the veteran said that the opportunities in front of the group are "epic" and added that their current opponents India have "all bases covered." Root's first major test challenge this year would be the five-test series against India, starting on Friday in Leeds. But after that, from late November onwards, he will be featured in the away Ashes in Australia, aiming to win their first away series against arch-rivals since 2010-11. During these two series, Root, placed fifth among the highest run-getters in Tests with 13,006 runs, will continue to chase Sachin Tendulkar's all-time tally of 15,921 runs.
Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of the first Test, Root said, "You can only be excited. These are the series you play for. The opportunities in front of us are epic."
"You know The Ashes is coming and you will be asked about it. People will be trying to relate stuff in the India series to that, but you have a job to do against a brilliant team."
"You look at India's progression as a team across all formats, and they have all bases covered - great seam attack, talented batters and a very strong spin attack."
"They are going to compete anywhere in the world, but our record at home makes for a fantastic series. We will go into it with confidence but also with a huge amount of respect for what they will bring," he concluded.
Against India in 30 Tests, he has made 2,846 runs at an average of 58.08, with 10 centuries and 11 fifties. His best score is 218. In home conditions against India, Root's batting average shoots up to 74.95. He has made 1,574 runs in 15 Tests and 25 innings, seven centuries, and five fifties. His best score is 180*.
However, his record against Australia is not as impressive, having made 2,428 runs in 34 Tests and 65 innings at an average of 40.46, with four centuries and 18 fifties. In 14 Tests played in Australian conditions, this average drops to 35.68, with 890 runs scored in 27 innings, with nine fifties and no centuries.
Root also reflected on his England journey so far since his debut 13 years back, saying that he wants to continue enjoying playing without any pressure of an away Ashes ton, while remembering the "raw feeling of being 10 years old or younger - watching my dad play or being in the garage or garden with my brother."
"I am not saying sticks in the ground with a taped-up tennis ball pretending you are at the MCG or Lord's, but waking up, opening the curtains and praying it is not raining so you can play that day and trying to harness those feelings."
"I think how lucky I am to play for England. You play at amazing venues around the world, experiencing different cultures and everything else the sport has to offer - friendships, opportunities."
"Trying to keep a broad mind on those things is more of a motivator than trying to plan too far ahead. Soak in and enjoy the good times," he concluded.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

News18

an hour ago

• News18

Watch: Bumrah Celebrates After Taking Root's Wicket For 10th Time In Test Cricket

Last Updated: Root was caught by Karun Nair in the first slip on the third ball of the 47th over of England's first innings bowled by Bumrah on Saturday. Joe Root was batting on 28 runs from 57 balls when Jasprit Bumrah bowled a super delivery on Saturday (June 21) to get the better of him. The ball kissed the edge of Root's bat and travelled straight to first slip, where Karun Nair was fielding, and he made no mistake to complete the catch. Root was the third English batter to get out on Saturday, and for the 10th time in 25 innings, he was sent back to the pavilion by Bumrah. After taking Root's wicket, Bumrah celebrated in an animated manner, and the video of his pumped-up celebration is now going viral on the internet. Before getting out, Root hammered two fours and added 80 runs for the third wicket with Ollie Pope (100 from 131 balls). Bumrah, who is the world's No. 1 Test bowler, picked up a total of three wickets for India on Saturday and conceded 48 runs in 13 overs. He opened his wicket account by getting Zak Crawley caught out by Karun on the last ball of the first over of England's first innings. Crawley faced six balls and scored four runs. Ben Duckett was the second English batter dismissed by Bumrah on Day 2 of the ongoing Test. Bumrah breached Duckett's defence and shattered his stumps. Before getting bowled out by the 31-year-old fast bowler, Duckett scored 62 runs from 94 balls with the help of nine fours. The wicket of Duckett helped Bumrah break Wasim Akram's record of most Test wickets by an Asian bowler in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia) countries. During his playing days, Akram dismissed 146 batters in 32 Tests played in SENA countries. On the other hand, Bumrah now has 148 wickets to his name in 32 Tests played in SENA countries. Bumrah, who made his Test debut for India against South Africa at Newlands in Cape Town on January 5, 2018, has 40 wickets to his name in 10 Tests played on English soil so far, and he has dismissed 64 batters in 12 Tests played in Australia. Bumrah has played two Tests in New Zealand, in which he has picked up six wickets, and has 38 dismissals to his name in eight Tests played in South Africa.

Hindustan Times

an hour ago

• Hindustan Times

Jasprit Bumrah's stats vs World No 1 Test batter, Joe Root, are insane

Jasprit Bumrah was the pick of India's bowlers on Saturday, picking all three England wickets in the first innings after the visitors posted a 471-run total. The pacer got rid of Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, and Joe Root to reduce the hosts to 209/3 at stumps on Day 2. Jasprit Bumrah dismissed Joe Root on Saturday (Action Images via Reuters) Bumrah drew over 35.3% false shots in his 13 overs on Day 2. He finished with figures of 3/25. The 31-year-old continued to create chances for the visitors throughout the first innings, but the team was not able to hold on to them. He eventually overtook Pakistan great Wasim Akram to become the highest Asian wicket-taker in SENA countries. Read More: Yashasvi Jaiswal does what no other batter in the history of cricket could: Tendulkar, Kohli, Viv Richards not close He also holds a formidable record against the World No 1 Test batter - Joe Root. He has dismissed the former English skipper 10 times in 25 innings. Only Pat Cummins has dismissed Root more times (11). Bowlers with Most Dismissals of Joe Root in Tests Pat Cummins: 11 dismissals Jasprit Bumrah: 10 dismissals Josh Hazlewood: 10 dismissals Nathan Lyon: 8 dismissals Mitchell Starc: 8 dismissals Ravindra Jadeja: 8 dismissals Bumrah vs Root: By the Numbers 2018: Root scored 44 runs off 127 balls, dismissed twice, with 99 dots, a strike rate of 34.6, and an average of 22. 2021: Root made 150 runs off 291 balls, out four times, with 212 dots, a strike rate of 51.5, and an average of 37.5. 2022: Root scored 50 runs off 62 balls, undismissed, with 37 dots and a strike rate of 80.6. 2024: Root scored 42 runs off 79 balls, dismissed three times, with 63 dots, a strike rate of 53.2, and an average of 14. 2025: Root scored 4 runs off 11 balls, out once, with 8 dots, a strike rate of 36.4, and an average of 4. Total: Across 570 balls, Root scored 290 runs, was dismissed 10 times, faced 419 dot balls, with a strike rate of 50.9 and an average of 29.

Indian Express

an hour ago

• Indian Express

India vs England 1st Test: Listless bowling, dropped catches make it a Jasprit Bumrah solo salvo

Jasprit Bumrah didn't celebrate Ben Duckett's wicket for too long. He was thinking ahead, England was 126/2 and India needed more wickets urgently to justify bowling under a largely overcast day, all day. Joe Root was entering the field and Bumrah had sniffed an opportunity. He signaled KL Rahul to move to slips from covers. Rahul would put some loose mud from the crease to dry his hands. He knew a catch would come his way. He wasn't the only one who knew that Bumrah has Root's number, he has got him 9 times. This was India's chance to strike a vital blow and it was Bumrah, the best bowler in Tests by miles, who was expected to do the honours. Both Root and Ollie Pope survived that short Bumrah storm, but not the day. But they did give England that all-important breathing time. Bumrah would return for his final spell. He would have Root caught in the slips. He even had England's second best batsman Harry Brook mistiming a pull and Mohammed Siraj holding the catch running backwards. But that was to be a no-ball and Brooks would return to the crease. England finished the day at 209/3, with India still ahead by 262 runs. It was that kind of a day for India. Opportunity came knocking but no one ran to open the door. The weather had been kind to the visitors. After they had scored 471 under bright sunlight, England had to bat under dark clouds. But two drops and a rather listless bowling show by all bowlers except Bumrah, resulted in England managing to make a comeback into the game. Rain is expected on Day 3 and the conditions will once again be favourable for seam bowling. But as Day 2 showed, it isn't the conditions but bowlers who take wickets. 𝐑𝐨𝐨𝐭'𝐬 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐞: 𝐁𝐮𝐦𝐫𝐚𝐡'𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐧 🎯 For the 10th time in Test Cricket, #JaspritBumrah has dismissed #JoeRoot! 🥶#ENGvIND 1st Test, Day 2 | Streaming LIVE NOW on JioHotstar 👉 — Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) June 21, 2025 Now, for the period of play in the final session when India failed to grab catches and the chances that came their way. Bumrah's second wicket in the 29th was to be his second wind and the turning point of the game. Though, it was not to be and Bumrah was not at fault. Having already bowled 8 overs, Bumrah knew he had to come up with one more burst, probably the last of the day, to keep India ahead in the game. These are moments when pacers get fueled by adrenaline. Bumrah would bowl 16 inspired balls after Duckett's wicket. He gave 5 runs, missed Root's edge once, sliced him into two and had the heartbreak of watching Yashasvi Jaiswal drop Ollie Pope in the slips. Earlier in his first spell, a display of top-class fiery bowling, Ravindra Jadeja, off all the fielders, had failed to grab a Duckett edge at point. Bumrah had a resigned look on his face, for the pacer it is a smile that gives an idea about his hurt. After the end of that over, he took his cap from the umpire and sunk his face inside it. The other Indians on field too would have wanted to do the same. 𝙄𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙖 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙗𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙅𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙞 𝘽𝙝𝙖𝙞! 🔥#BenDuckett looked well set for a longer innings, but @Jaspritbumrah93 had other plans! 🤩#ENGvIND 1st Test, Day 2 | Streaming LIVE NOW on JioHotstar 👉 — Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) June 21, 2025 No one would have thought this is how the day would end when Bumrah got the England opener Zak Crawley on the final ball of his first over. It was a classic Bumrah ball that seemed to be headed towards the leg stump, and replays showed wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant moving to his left, suddenly moving sharply to the off. Crawley would square up and Karun Nair in the slips would hold a sharp catch above his head. A noisy bunch of Indians among the crowd, sitting not too far from the Barmy, were 'Booming', the dhol beats echoing around Headingley. Still high on yesterday's great start to India's Test journey, under the young coach Shubman Gill, there was hope that the march would continue. But insipid and inconsistent India bowling was the reason for the 122 runs partnership between Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope. The English batsmen are a study in contrast. Duckett confident and cocky, Pope unsure and jittery. The opener is a dasher with a reputation of taking on the bowlers. With Pope there was a lot of speculation about his place in the side. There has been this overwhelming view in England that Jacob Bethell needs to be in the side instead of him. Bethell, who played a big role in RCB breaking the IPL jinx, had made a mark in Tests last year by scoring a 100 against New Zealand. However, because of IPL commitments, he missed last month's Zimbabwe Test where Pope made a hundred. Before the India series, Pope was almost apologetic about his inclusion. 'I completely own that my numbers aren't good enough against those guys (India and Australia) but I also feel I am a much better player now than I was when we last played India at home and Australia away,' he said. He certainly was as he hit the fastest century on this Test and went a long way to keep England in the game. As India licked their wounds and contemplated 'what could have been' they would also think about their playing XI for the game. For much of the innings, even during the long Duckett and Pope partnership, India didn't use their all-rounder pacer Shardul Thakur. What if they had left arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav in the team? What if the catches were not dropped? What if the other pacers would have bowled better?