I NEED TO GROW UP SAYS JOE
Root rues big pitch strop
ENGLAND’S captain-elect Joe Root admits he has still got some growing up to do.
The 25-year-old walked off shaking his head, appeared to mouth the word ‘bulls***’ and kicked the boundary rope as he made his way off after being given out caught.
Root was on 88 and looking well set when he attempted to slog sweep Ravindra Jadeja.
He seemed to have missed the ball and wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel did not appeal as he caught it.
But home skipper Virat Kohli halfheartedly asked for a review and third umpire Bruce Oxenford – convinced by a small spike on Ultra Edge – sent Root on his way.
Punished
Root’s undignified exit was down to frustration as much as annoyance at missing out on a Test ton.
But it didn’t look great from the man who is expected to take over from current skipper Alastair Cook.
He said: “There was frustration there and hopefully I can start growing up a bit more – and if I get punished, then I’m sure it’s deserved.
“I was convinced I didn’t hit it, but the technology suggests otherwise.
“If you look at the wicketkeeper’s reaction, he’s not interested either. I think Kohli just went with his gut and it worked out.
“I probably was a bit childish with my reaction. But you’re going to be disappointed when you feel you’ve been hard done by – even if you haven’t.”
The Yorkshireman has passed 50 in every Test of this series and all 11 he has played against India.
But he has converted just 11 of his 38 half-centuries into hundreds and the latest will be particularly frustrating, with England looking set to take charge on day one.
Fortunately Moeen Ali did not give anything away and ended the day 120 not out. He and Root added 146 for the third wicket and rescued England from 21-2 in the morning session following the early dismissals of openers Keaton Jennings and Cook.
Jonny Bairstow missed out when looking well set on 49, and England must proceed carefully if they are to reach 500 on a good batting wicket.
Cook had another frustrating day, lasting only 38 balls for his 10 runs.
And Jennings had a second successive failure since his debut ton, caught behind on one after a second-innings duck in Mumbai.
Yet Moeen has answered questions over his position in the top six, this unbeaten 120 from No.4 was his second century of the series following 117 in the first Test.
Root, whose last hundred came in that match in Rajkot, said: “I think Mo’s taken that added responsibility of batting higher up the order really well on this tour.
‘‘He’s proved with two brilliant hundreds that he’s becoming a world-class top-order batter.”