Joe Root Impresses Kevin Pietersen with Stellar Performance in Ashes Opener
Former England captain Kevin Pietersen had high praise for Joe Root following the star batsman’s exceptional display in the first Test of the Ashes 2023 series against Australia.
Root’s scintillating century in the first innings set the tone for England’s batting charge, and he continued to impress in the second innings before rain interrupted play on Day 3 at Edgbaston.
With England’s openers falling cheaply, the responsibility fell on Root’s shoulders to guide the hosts to a competitive total. Coming off a sensational knock against Australia, Root showcased his sublime form and played an aggressive innings in the Ashes opener.
Commenting on Root’s performance, Kevin Pietersen highlighted the England captain’s exceptional qualities. “The sky is the limit for Root with the brain he has and also his work ethic, which is like none other. With 11,000 Test runs, he could be, ‘I’ve got enough, I could swan around, get a hundred, watch everyone the next morning warm up and play football with the lads’.
“No, no. Every single morning Root is out there wanting to improve. We are lucky enough to watch a master, and long may that continue,” Pietersen praised Root during an interview with Sky Sports.
Root’s audacious reverse scoop-off to start Day 4 of the Test match caught the attention of fans and pundits alike. Pietersen attributed Root’s innovative shot selection to his stint in the Indian Premier League (IPL) with the Rajasthan Royals.
“It would have been in those two months in the IPL [with Rajasthan Royals] where those shots would have been ingrained in his game,” Pietersen added.
During his IPL stint, Root played for Sanju Samson’s Rajasthan Royals after being acquired for INR 1 crore at the auction. The experience seemed to have had a positive impact on Root’s game, evident from his quick-fire knock of 46 before being stumped by Alex Carey off the bowling of Nathan Lyon.
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As the Ashes series unfolds, Joe Root’s exceptional form and determination to constantly improve have captivated cricket enthusiasts. With his impressive run-scoring ability and astute captaincy, Root continues to establish himself as one of the premier batsmen in international cricket.