Mohammed Siraj gives his honest view on Joe Root’s shot after criticism from English media

Indian fast bowler Mohammed Siraj expressed surprise with the way Joe Root was dismissed on Saturday. The former England skipper was out for 18 when he was out to Jasprit Bumrah for the 9th time in Test cricket. 

The English media had lambasted the 33-year-old for his shot selection. The Telegraph called it “The Stupidest Shot in English Cricket”. Even former England skipper Michael Vaughan had expressed his disappointment with the way Joe Root was dismissed. 

Joe Root was batting on 18 when he went for a reverse-scoop shot. The ball was flying straight to the slips as Yashasvi Jaiswal took a great catch. In the last game, Root had charged at Ashwin and holed out a simple catch to Axar Patel. 

Mohammed Siraj gives his take on Joe Root’s dismissal – 

At the end of day three, Mohammed Siraj spoke to Jio Cinema about Joe Root’s dismissal. The 29-year-old said, “Ben Duckett's partnership was growing with Root, if he had played a little more, then it would have been difficult for us. But suddenly he played that shot which didn't look (like one) to be played.” 

The Indian bowler also said, “But it turned out good for us after that Stokes and Foakes had a great partnership, and then Stokes played a shot which got him out and we got back into the game from there.”

Michael Vaughan taking to Twitter wrote, “Far too good to gift India such a cheap wicket 20 minutes into a crucial day when they are down to 10 men”. The former English legendary batter had asked Joe Root to dismiss the BazBall way-off approach. 

Meanwhile, Siraj has praised the way Jaiswal batted to score an amazing century. Speaking during the post-match show in Jio Cinema, Siraj said, “The way he is batting, his confidence is very high. He is not looking behind and is totally focused on what lies ahead and he is carrying on with that confidence. The message from the team is that he should continue the way he has been doing.”

Rohit Sharma and Team India will want to score big so that they put the thoughts of a win out of England’s way. The onus is now on Yashasvi Jaiswal and the rest of the Indian batting to help get a huge lead.