England batter Joe Root usually comes across as a calm person. However, in a rare show of emotions, the veteran was seen animatedly exchanging words with India pacer Prasidh Krishna on Day two of The Oval Test. The lanky seamer had a go at the legendary batter, which also got the crowd going. However, Root did not like the bowler's aggressive intent toward him, and he was seen coming down the pitch to confront him.
After that, the very next delivery, Prasidh was greeted by a boundary by Root. That was not all, the icing on the cake was the latter exchanging a few words with the former. Things would have gone out of control if not for the intervention of the on-field umpires, who pacified the two cricketers.
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“It's highly unusual to see Joe Root as animated as he was in that moment. Quite a cheery soul, but not on that occasion,” former England captain Michael Atherton said on commentary.
Ravi Shastri opens up about Joe Root's aggressive intent towards Prasidh Krishna
Apart from Atherton, cricketer-turned-expert Ravi Shastri also opened up about Joe Root & Prasidh Krishna's altercation. The expert stated that the English batter made his intentions clear by his aggressive intent.
“Both teams fired up. What it would really do is send a clear message to India that there would be a clear intent from Joe Root. He will be looking to score and looking to be more positive,” said Shastri.
“There is a sense of purpose, even when he walked back to his guard. You can see that in his eyes."
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Speaking about the match, the hosts are in a commanding position, as they have reached 200 for the loss of seven wickets. Earlier, Gus Atkinson's five-fer helped the hosts bundle India out for just 224. After that spat with Root, Prasidh got his mojo back as he took three wickets. Meanwhile, the former was dismissed for just 29 as Siraj got the prized scalp.
