Ben Stokes hints at new role for Joe Root during first Test vs India

India and England are set to engage in battle as the first of five matches begins on Thursday. Cricket across the world will watch the two-Test cricket behemoths battle it out in Hyderabad. The visitors have already named their playing XI for the match. Three spinners and one pacer will spearhead the attack vs India.

Hyderabad is set to roll out a rank turner for the first game of the series. Tom Hartley has been given his Test debut and he will join Rehan Ahmed and Jack Leach as the spin option. Mark Wood is the sole pacer as James Anderson has been rested for the game much to everyone’s surprise. 

Is Joe Root set to open the bowling?

England skipper Ben Stokes has hinted at Joe Root opening the bowling during the Hyderabad Test. The move comes into effect especially looking at Yashasvi Jaiswal opening the batting for India.

Speaking to the media before the game Stokes said “It would be a complete and utter gut thing, as most of my decisions are. You might even see Root taking the new ball, depending on what I feel. If Jaiswal opens the batting, you might see Root opening the bowling, because it’s spinning away from the bat”

It is to be noted that Joe Root and Yashasvi Jaiswal were part of the IPL set-up with Rajasthan Royals last year. In the 135 games for his national side, Joe Root has picked 60 Test wickets. His best of 5/8 came against India during the third Test in Ahmedabad in 2021. 

The last time India and England faced in a Test match was in 2022 under Jasprit Bumrah. Team India lost the game as Joe Root led the England side to an easy win while chasing above 350 runs. This was the fifth and final re-scheduled Test match that saw the series end at 2-2. 

India’s last test series against England at home saw Virat Kohli lead his side to win with a 3-1 margin in 2021. Many fans are hopeful that Rohit Sharma will do the same this year with four amazing spinners at his disposal.