IND vs ENG 1st Test: England missed a trick by not using Joe Root as a spinner, says Anil Kumble

IND vs ENG 1st Test: England missed a trick by not using Joe Root as a spinner, says Anil Kumble

India’s legendary spinner Anil Kumble felt that the England team missed a trick by not using Joe Root as their 4th spinner on Day 1 of the 1st Test match against India at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on January 25, Thursday. Kumble pointed out that Root’s off-spin could have been used to counter India’s young batter Yashasvi Jaiswal.

Root’s exploits as an off-spinner are very well-known in the cricketing world as the star batter picked up a 5-wicket haul in the last Test series against India in 2021. Notably, Root has picked 9 wickets in the 11 matches that he has played in India.

IND vs ENG DAY 1: HIGHLIGHTS

“I thought England missed a trick by not using Joe Root because he’s someone you can really turn the ball, and he has a good action. And there was Yashasvi Jaiswal, who is a left-hander, and we saw Ashwin trouble the left-handers. So England probably missed a trick,” Kumble said while speaking on Sports 18.

WHY ENGLAND NEED ROOT AS SPINNER?

The England spinners looked out of touch as the Indian batsmen made merry of the pitch that had got better to bat on after Tea. Jaiswal unleashed his version of the Bazball as he raced away with a quick-fire fifty. The England bowlers, especially debutant Tom Hartley, were attacked aggressively as he was hit for 2 sixes in his very first over in Test cricket.

Jack Leach dismissed captain Rohit Sharma for the 5th time in Test cricket but the left-arm spinner looked out of groove after coming from a long lay-off. A lack of preparation was visible as the England batters as well as bowlers faltered on the opening day of the Test match.

Kumble also mentioned that the England spinners lacked confidence and consistency. He also pointed out the need for spinners to get their line and lengths right.

“I think it’s one, the length. I mean, they are not consistent at all on a surface where it’s assisting you a bit. We saw that with the Indian spinners. As soon as they bowled a good length, it was turning, so they got the lengths wrong. And then, when you want to spin, I mean first, is confidence. Hartley is playing his first game, Leach hasn’t really played in a while, and then he’s coming in.”

“But if they have to come back in this game, the spinners need to be a lot more consistent. So maybe England need to just keep the field away a little bit because I thought they were over attacks. Because yeah, I mean, you need a slip. Yes, you need a shot, but not for young spinners who are struggling to find the length,” Kumble said.

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