In the 2nd ODI of India vs England at the Sophia Gardens Cricket Ground, Cardiff, Joe Root won the Player of the Match award for his excellent 99* in the run chase. However, despite winning the POTM, he expressed his gratitude towards Virat Kohli and called him “the best chaser to ever play the game”.
Joe Root cited the reason as calling him “the best chaser ever” and also praised him, thanking him for changing the dynamics of ODI cricket. Root and Kohli come from the same generation who have redefined the game.
“Virat is the best chaser”- Joe Root explains why Virat Kohli is the best chaser
Virat Kohli has been the best chaser in world cricket over the years. In white ball format. He has scored over 8,060 runs at an incredible average of almost 64.00 with 28 centuries in run-chases in the ODI format. He has led India to victory by scoring centuries 22 times and has broken the previous record of Sachin Tendulkar.
Root said, “Virat is the best chaser who has ever played the game because he reads what has happened, he understands what was difficult when he was in the field, and then finds a way to deal with it when he is playing out.”
Joe Root highlights the contribution of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in ODI cricket
Joe Root was also asked how players like him, Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill control the pace of the game; As always, strike rates in this format are a matter of debate: when to accelerate and when to stretch the innings, as they do in the 50-over format.
Root pointed out that it is important to read the situation and the scenario of the game, not to rush, absorb pressure and play strokes. Apart from this, he also discussed the legacy of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who have redefined the game.
He admitted that watching the pair over the years has been a learning experience in itself. This will be the last time the pair will be seen together, with Rohit Sharma reportedly set to retire from the ODI format after the third ODI as the BCCI selectors have not considered his name for the ODI World Cup 2027.
“He’s changed the bar and moved the goalposts for everyone. He’s consistently done things that a lot of other players haven’t been able to do,” Root said.
Root further added, “I watch them play, and you try and learn and see how they read the game and how they take different situations and play different phases of the game. At times they are miles ahead of it.”
England’s thrilling victory in Cardiff
Talking about the match, thanks to Joe Root’s innings, England won the match by 4 wickets. Despite the continuous fall of wickets, he stood firm at one end and played a brilliant innings under pressure to help England level the series 1-1. The Three Lions lost the first ODI by 4 wickets.
In the second game, England won the toss and decided to field first, and half-centuries from Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer helped India post a fighting total of 234 runs. They scored 65 and 66 runs respectively. India’s middle order faltered due to quick fall of wickets.
While chasing the target, the home team had the worst start, losing both openers early and falling with four wickets inside 100 runs. But a solid partnership between Root and Will Jacques took the game away from the Men in Blue. Now everything will be decided in the third and last ODI to be held at Lord’s on Sunday.