In the fast-paced world of Twenty20 cricket, Joe Root arrived like a breath of fresh air for England - a batter of exceptional quality, equipped with all the tools needed to thrive in any format of the game.
Hailing from the prestigious cricketing tradition of Yorkshire, which has given rise to legends such as Geoffrey Boycott and Michael Vaughan, Root exhibited the same hallmark qualities that defined these greats. A master of solid defense and an artist of stylish stroke play, Root forged his own legacy by combining these classic traits with a remarkable ability to attack the bowlers using a vast array of aggressive shots.
Root's journey began in the youth ranks of Yorkshire, where he quickly made his mark. He was also part of England's Under-19 squad in the 2009 ICC World Cup, showcasing his promise. Even in his early days, Root impressed with his passion for the game, and his leadership potential was recognized, with many predicting he would one day captain England.
Joe Root was a prolific run-scorer for his domestic side, and his stunning double century against Hampshire caught the attention of the national selectors, propelling his career forward. Following the retirement of Andrew Strauss, a vacancy arose, and the young Root was swiftly included in England's Test squad for the tour of India.
In Nagpur, Root made his debut, and the rest, as they say, is history. His debut innings of 73 facing the spin trio of Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Pragyan Ojha earned him widespread praise, and he quickly became an integral part of the national team. While his maiden Test century came against New Zealand at Leeds, it was his commanding knock of 180 against Australia in the 2013 Ashes that truly established him as one of the brightest stars in English cricket. Root's career continued to flourish, and he soon became a regular member in all formats of the game.
Joe Root began accumulating runs at a remarkable rate, and his consistency earned him a place in the illustrious 'Fab Four' - a term coined by fans to describe the modern-day batting greats. Alongside Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson, and Steven Smith, Root established himself as a formidable force in world cricket. However, despite his prolific run-scoring, he faced criticism for his inability to convert starts into big centuries. Still, Root remained one of the best batters in the world and undoubtedly the finest in England, earning the captaincy after Sir Alastair Cook's retirement.
Root's leadership had both challenges and notable successes. He remained under constant scrutiny, and two Ashes defeats, put a question mark on his tactical acumen. His tenure also saw England navigating a period of transition, struggling to find a settled opening partnership, while Root himself was frequently moved around in the batting order.
Despite these hurdles, Root remained the cornerstone of England's batting. His double century against Sri Lanka in Galle showcased his insatiable appetite for runs, and his 186 in the same tour of 2021 played a crucial role in England's series victory - a highlight that could be regarded as one of his finest achievements during his time as Test captain.
Joe Root's remarkable record in Test cricket often overshadowed his significant contributions to England's ODI team. With over 6,000 runs at an impressive average and strike rate, Root is among the top five all-time run-scorers for England in ODIs. He's a key figure in England’s white-ball cricket, playing a pivotal role in their triumphant 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup campaign.
In 2022, Root stepped down from the Test captaincy, passing the baton to Ben Stokes, who had been instrumental in Root's leadership success. Freed from the pressures of captaincy, Root's batting bloomed, and he overtook Sir Alastair Cook as England's top run-scorer in 2024 and with most hundreds for his country in Test cricket, he further cemented his legacy as one of the nation's all-time greats.
