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'Joe Root To Open Bowling Against India?' - Ben Stokes Makes 'Shocking' Revelation

image-lrrlwfp4Joe Root (X.com)

The high-anticipated five-Test series between India and England is less than 24 hours away, and the built-up for the first match at Hyderabad is at an all-time high.

England captained by Ben Stokes, have already named their playing XI for the first Test, which will see as many as three frontline spinners - Rehan Ahmed, Jack Leach, and debutant Tom Hartley - and part-time bowler Joe Root partner up with lone pacer Mark Wood to constitute a four-man attack, leaving out stalwart James Anderson.

With spin expected to play a major role in India and the track at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium suited to slow bowlers, Stokes revealed that Root, who has had success in Indian conditions might even take the new ball for England come January 25. 

As quoted by The Telegraph, Stokes, who will not bowl in the series, explained that with India fielding a left-hander in the top-order, Root taking the new-ball could work wonders.

“It would be a complete and utter ‘gut’ thing, as most of my decisions like that are. You might even see Rooty taking the new ball, depending on what I feel. If (left-hander) Yashasvi Jaiswal opens the batting, you might see Rooty opening the bowling because it’s spinning away from the bat. When picking the team it’s about what you think is going to give you the best chance of winning and who is going to offer you more in certain conditions. India is one of those places where you’ve got to think about selection a lot more than anywhere else in the world because of what you can get from the wicket.”

In 10 Tests in India, England's second- highest Test run-getter has claimed eight wickets, which include a fifer during the 2021 Ahmedabad Test, where Root's off-spin rattled India's top order.