[Watch] Joe Root Breaks Down In Tears As England Crash Out Of Champions Trophy

Joe Root crying [Source: @rs_3702/X.com]

Joe Root was the lone warrior for England as the Three Lions were upset by the Afghanistan side in the group stage match of the Champions Trophy. The loss meant that England crash out of the mega tournament with a game still to be played. The England star scored a valuable hundred, but his efforts went in vain.

England needed to beat the Afghan side after a drubbing at the hands of Australia in their previous game. Courtesy of Ibrahim Zadran's magnificent century, Afghanistan set a target of 326, and England failed to chase it down.

Joe Root was the only one who stood tall as the England great slammed his 17th ODI century, but got no support from the other end as the English side were bundled out for 317.

After the match, Root looked distraught as he was unconsolable and broke down in tears as his side crashed out of the Champions Trophy without putting up a fight.

Buttler's captaincy in danger as well

With the entire England side failing to deliver the goods, barring Joe Root, the team felt the wrath of the media and captain Jos Buttler was at the centre of scrutiny for his poor performance (both with bat and as a leader).

In his last 58 innings he has only scored a solitary century (T20Is and ODIs), and he gave a hint during the post match press conference that if needed, he might step down from the post of captaincy.

Under Buttler's regime, England won the T20 World Cup in 2022, but lost in group stage during 2023 World Cup and the semis in T20 World Cup 2024.

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