Ben Duckett defends the ‘freak’ Root’s Rajkot shot choice.

In an unexpected development in the current Test match in Rajkot, Joe Root’s 18-run dismissal after reverse-scooping Jasprit Bumrah straight to a second slip has sparked a contentious discussion among cricket fans. When Root’s unconventional shot choice was called “the worst, most stupid shot in the history of England’s Test cricket,” Ben Duckett, a teammate, defended Root.

Scyld Berry, a seasoned journalist, criticized Root harshly, calling it a stroke that “wrecked England’s chances of winning this Test and this series.” Another commenter, former England captain Michael Vaughan, questioned the timing of the shot and emphasized the significance of changing up your playmaking approach depending on the circumstance.

Ben Duckett expressed dissatisfaction that Root’s shot didn’t result in more runs but stayed unwavering in the face of criticism. Duckett defended Root, saying that Root deserved to be allowed to take these kinds of chances. He highlighted the inherent risk in both strategies by drawing a comparison between Root’s stroke and his unorthodox reverse sweep.

“Root is amazing; he can perform feats that many of us find impossible. That is equivalent to playing a drive and nicking off a second slip, in my opinion. Rooty does that shot very expertly. When he was hitting [Pat] Cummins for six in the summer, I’m sure those people weren’t saying that, Duckett said to TNT Sports.

It really bothers me that it didn’t go for four or six. I believe he has a right to do it. He did a great job playing the shot. I see it as being exactly the same as when I played a reverse sweep and was intercepted at deep point,” Duckett continued.

India is a little hesitant with us. Ben Duckett

Duckett took comfort in India’s cautious approach as the match hung in the balance, bringing in Kuldeep Yadav as a nightwatchman despite having a commanding advantage. Duckett thought that India’s caution about England’s ability to reverse the situation was reflected in this action. He was upbeat about England’s prospects and stated that they would keep playing the way they do.

“It seems to me that they are a little apprehensive about us, even bringing in a nightwatchman while you’re 330 ahead. “We’ll keep playing the way we do, and you never know what can happen if we get two or three guys on that pitch and score quickly,” Duckett continued.