ENG vs IND: Joe Root plays a remarkable reverse scoop off Shardul Thakur for a six

English star batter Joe Root engineered England’s record chase against India at Edgbaston, Birmingham, on July 5, Tuesday, with an unbeaten hundred. He was the top scorer of the innings and helped his team secure the victory within the first session of Day 5. He played some spectacular shots all around the Edgbaston ground but his reverse scoop facing pacer Shardul Thakur has taken the center stage on the internet.

With Root on 119* and England needing 42 runs, Root just nonchalantly switched his stance and scooped a good-length ball that was slightly outside the off-stump, over the boundary ropes in the 72nd over. He finished with an unbeaten 142 runs off 173 balls and saw off the England chase in 76.4 overs, along with Jonny Bairstow, who scored an unbeaten 114 runs off 145 balls.

He is an incredible batsman, showcasing everything he has to offer: Michael Atherton

This was not the first time a batter attempted a reverse scoop of a fast bowler in the match as the Indian batter, Rishabh Pant also played this audacious shot while facing James Anderson in the first innings. Former England captain Michael Atherton on air said, “He (Root) is showing his full range of skills. He is an incredible batsman in the form of his life showcasing everything that he has to offer.”

With England winning the final Test match of the series, the series ends in a 2-2 draw. Ben Stokes’s side will retain the Pataudi Trophy since England won the series last time out in 2018 by 4-1. With this loss, India now slip to fourth in the ICC World Test Championship 2021-23 table below Pakistan, as their win percentage dropped to 52.08 after suffering two penalty points for slow over-rate.

England are seventh in the World Test Championship table above New Zealand and Bangladesh, with five wins in 16 matches. England and India will lock horns for a three-match T20I series, starting on July 7, followed by a three-match ODI series, which will commence on July 12. India captain Rohit Sharma is set to be back to lead the side for the limited-overs series after missing out on the fifth Test match due to Covid-19.