England’s Batting Maestro Opens Up on Their Game-Changing 195-Run Partnership, His Own Frustration at Falling Short, and Why Mohammed Siraj is a “Warrior” on the Field.
London, UK – August 4, 2025: After a day of absolutely nail-biting cricket at The Oval, England’s batting maestro, Joe Root, finally had a chance to reflect on the magic that unfolded at the crease – especially his breathtaking 195-run partnership with fellow Yorkshire star, Harry Brook. And if you were wondering just how impressed Root was with the young gun’s explosive counter-attacking century, let his words paint the picture: Brook is an “incredible talent” and definitely “not a one-off fluke.” High praise indeed!
Brook’s sensational 111 runs off just 98 balls, combined with a classic, composed century from Root himself, dramatically dashed India’s hopes of an easy win while defending their massive target of 374. As the action heads into what promises to be a thrilling final day, the air is thick with anticipation: England needs just 35 more runs (with three or four wickets still in hand, depending on Chris Woakes’ availability) for a series win, or at least a hard-fought draw. The stage is set for an unforgettable conclusion!
The Perfect Batting Partnership: “Always a Pleasure” with Brook
Speaking about their formidable partnership, Root couldn’t help but smile, calling it “always a pleasure” to bat with Brook. He highlighted the fascinating contrast in their styles that makes them such a potent force together. “We have both got very contrasting games, but I think that works well in our favour,” Root explained. “He plays slightly more expansively than I do and has a fantastic array of shots, but what I admire most is the amount of pressure he puts back on the opposition, the way he takes calculated risks at the right moments, and how he can open a game completely up, as he did today, it is great.”
Root, ever the humble veteran, even admitted to loving being “second fiddle” to Brook, calling it the “best seat in the house” to watch the youngster’s exquisite shot-making. He emphatically praised Brook’s consistency, emphasizing that his brilliance isn’t just a flash in the pan. “He is an incredible talent and it is not like he is a one-off fluke. He has got 10 hundreds playing in a very similar manner. He is incredibly consistent at it and there is definitely a huge amount of method behind what he does.” Root concluded by acknowledging the immense impact of Brook’s knock: “The impact that it has had on this Test match is why we are sitting here only needing 35 to win. It has been an incredible knock.”
Root’s Frustration: Missing the Finish Line, Not the Spat
Of course, the cricketing world has been buzzing about the heated exchange Root had with India’s Prasidh Krishna in the first innings. So, when Krishna eventually got him out in this crucial second innings, many wondered if that past spat fueled Root’s visible frustration. But Root, ever the sportsman, quickly clarified that his anger had nothing to do with their earlier run-in.
“That was more frustration from my part for not getting us over the line,” Root explained, taking full ownership. “That is what you pride yourself on as a player, as an experienced batter in that situation. You have got to be able to absorb pressure and understand that they are allowed to bowl well for periods, and then when you get your opportunities to counter that, then you take them, and I just mis-executed on that occasion.”
He added, with a touch of self-reproach, “When you are 100 not out, you do not expect that from yourself, so that is where the frustration came from. There was no overhang from what happened in the first innings or anything like that.” Root also had words of respect for Krishna, acknowledging his talent: “Prasidh is a proven performer. He is a brilliant player. You do not play for India as a seamer without having a huge amount of talent, and clearly he is going to do great things in the game.”
Praise for a “Warrior”: Mohammed Siraj
Root wasn’t shy about dishing out praise for another Indian bowler who kept him on his toes throughout the match: the relentless Mohammed Siraj. Siraj bowled a staggering 26 overs, yielding figures of 2/95, constantly troubling the English batters with his pace and aggression. Root didn’t hesitate to call him a “warrior.”
“He is someone that you want on your team. He is that kind of character. He gives everything for India, and it is credit to him for that, the way he approaches cricket. He has got this fake anger about him sometimes, which I can see straight through,” Root said with a hint of amusement, revealing a softer side to the fiery bowler. “You can tell he is actually a really nice lad. But he tries incredibly hard. He is a very skilful player.”
Root concluded by offering truly high praise: “There is a reason why he’s got the wickets he has, because one, his work ethic and two, his skill level. I enjoy playing against him. He always has a big smile on his face, and he will give everything for his team. I guess you could not want anything more of that as a fan watching, and a great example to any young player starting out.” Indeed, Siraj has been a workhorse for India in this series, currently the top wicket-taker with 20 scalps at an average of over 36, including a six-fer, and has bowled the most overs across both teams (181.2 overs).
As the final day dawns, all eyes will be on The Oval. Will England complete a famous chase, or will India find those crucial remaining wickets? The stage is set for a thrilling finish!