“We underestimated Indian lower order batting”: Joe Root takes responsibility for committing tactical blunder

England captain Joe Root admitted he underestimated the Indian lower order batting

Xtra Time Web Desk: England captain Joe Root on Monday said he is responsible for the loss against India at Lord’s. Root also admitted to committing tactical blunders and said he underestimated the Indian lower-order after Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah’s batting heroics fashioned an epic win at Lord’s in the second Test.

“I think a lot falls on my shoulders as captain. Tactically I could have done things slightly differently,” Root said at the post-match virtual news conference.

England was in a dominant position before they lost control during a chaotic unbroken ninth-wicket stand of 89 between Shami (56 not out) and Bumrah (34 not out) on the final morning at Lord’s. The home team was then bowled out for 120 inside two sessions to lose by 151 runs. Bumrah contributed three wickets and Shami one while the major damage on the Englishmen was done by Mohammed Siraj (4/32). Senior pacer Ishant Sharma took two wickets.

“It (Shami and Bumrah partnership) was the pivotal moment of the game, without question, and I don’t think I dealt with that well enough tactically. It put us in a difficult position,” he said.

“It’s just disappointing we didn’t manage to close out that innings how we could have. Probably I just underestimated how challenging and useful the lower order defense can be so as I said a lot falls on my shoulders,” Root said.

The tension and flare-ups between the two teams were palpable but Root said there was no bad blood between them.

“Virat’s got his style and his way of doing things that are probably contrasting naturally to the way I play my cricket. Fair play to Virat and his team, they have jumped on something emotional that’s given them an edge and something to cling on to tactically”, said Root.