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'A lot falls on my shoulders': England captain Joe Root takes blame for Lord's defeat against India

Shami and Bumrah's partnership was a "pivotal" moment in the match, said Root, expressing his disappointment at England's inability to restrict India's second innings.

Published on: Aug 17, 2021, 09:17:17 IST
Reuters
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England captain Joe Root took responsibility for his side's defeat by India in the second test at Lord's on Monday, saying he got his field placing and bowling approach tactically wrong.

India's Virat Kohli, right, celebrates catching the ball to dismiss England's Joe Root during day five of the Second Test match at Lord's, London, Monday Aug. 16, 2021. (AP)
India's Virat Kohli, right, celebrates catching the ball to dismiss England's Joe Root during day five of the Second Test match at Lord's, London, Monday Aug. 16, 2021. (AP)

India declared on 298-8 after an unbroken ninth-wicket stand of 89 between tailenders Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah left the visitors in command, before England were bowled out for 120 and fell to a 151-run defeat.

Shami and Bumrah's partnership was a "pivotal" moment in the match, said Root, expressing his disappointment at England's inability to restrict India's second innings.

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"I don't think we dealt with that well enough tactically. It put us in a difficult position. A lot falls on my shoulders as captain. We went from a position where we could win to being behind," Root said.

"We have to give them some credit. They scored in unusual areas and made it hard to set conventional fields and you were trying to manage taking wickets but not letting the game get away from us.

"I expected us to be able to bat out the last two sessions. There's no hiding from it, we need do to get better.

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"Everyone is hurting. It's very raw right now. I feel the same as every single player in that dressing room: it's a missed opportunity."

The third test of the five-match series, which India lead 1-0, begins on Aug. 25 at Headingley.

Root, who was dismissed by Bumrah for 33 after posting an unbeaten 180 in the first innings, was hopeful his side would rediscover their batting form and said there was no need to press the panic button.

"When you talk about batting, it's a collective. There have been plenty of occasions in my career when others have carried me through games," he said.

"There's a lot of cricket still to be played. A lot can happen within three games. It is not the time to panic."

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