England vs India: Joe Root has his say on Adil Rashid not getting a chance to bat or bowl

England read the conditions perfectly for the second Test match and included Chris Woakes in the playing XI ahead of Moeen Ali. On the other hand, their opponents decided to play to their strengths and went in with two spinners as the punt backfired. India were bowled out twice in 82.2 overs and interestingly, not even a single over was bowled by a spinner which has delighted England’s skipper Joe Root.

He pointed out the fact that they picked the right team for the right conditions and also praised the way his troops handled the frequent rain breaks. The bowlers kept on bowling in the same areas and induced a false shot of the batsmen who were trying their best to not flirt with the deliveries outside the off-stump. Adil Rashid didn’t bowl even a single over in the game, rather he wasn’t required to bowl thanks to his seam bowlers.

“We still had to exploit the conditions, it was the right decision to go with that team and with that make up. The way we handled the breaks with the weather and performed in those conditions was really pleasing. The seam group were outstanding it’s not many times you’ll have a spinner as good as Adil (Rashid) not bowl a ball!” Root said while speaking to Test Match Special.

Happy for Woakes

Chris Woakes made a comeback in this Test after getting fit from his knee injury and what a game he had! His all-round show earned him the Man of the Match award and his love affair with the Lord’s continued. He’s now on the honours board for five-wicket haul in an innings, 10-wicket match haul and century which has been by a very few players in the history of the Test cricket.

Root highlighted the importance of batting deep in the longest format and expressed his happiness for Woakes as well who picked the most important wicket of Virat Kohli in the first innings to demoralise the opposition.

“It shows the importance of batting deep, and shows the quality of player we have in our side. I’m so chuffed to bits for Chris (Woakes), he fitted in beautifully, from the first ball he was right on the mark. It’s amazing what confidence that kind of spell can give you, and also to bat with Jonny in the manner that he did,” the 27-year-old added.

[interaction id=”5b6fe983afc9e48bee1cb1ef”]

Keep following CricTracker for more news and updates.