England's Joe Root plays a shot during the second ODI against India at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff, Wales, on Thursday.
Former Indian spinner Anil Kumble feels that Joe Root’s impact for England is similar to what Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have on Indian cricket. The legendary leg-spinner’s comments came after the veteran batter played a brilliant, unbeaten 99-run knock to help the hosts level the current series 1-1 by registering a hard-fought four-wicket win in the second One Day International (ODI).
Root anchored England’s chase of 234 with a composed 99 not out off 133 balls to guide his side to victory at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff. The veteran top-order mainstay was left stranded just one run short of a well-deserved century after bowler Gus Atkinson struck the winning boundary with 35 balls to spare.
Reflecting on Root’s match-winning knock, Kumble highlighted the former England captain’s traditional ODI approach and unique ability to absorb immense pressure.
"Joe Root is to England what Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are to India. Root is the only batter in that England side who still plays with an old-school ODI mindset," Kumble told Jio Hotstar. "The other batters came out attacking from the start, but Root took his time, anchored the innings, and brought calmness to the chase."
