Joe Root to England what Kohli-Rohit are to India: Kumble
Synopsis
Anil Kumble's comparison of Joe Root to Kohli and Rohit isn't flattery — it's a pointed observation about what England's batting lineup lacks in depth. Root's unbeaten 99 at Cardiff did what no other England batter could: absorb pressure, rotate strike, and win a chase without a single reckless shot. In a team built on aggression, Root's old-school ODI craft is quietly indispensable.
Key Takeaways
Joe Root scored an unbeaten 99 off 133 balls to anchor England's chase of 234 in the 2nd ODI at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff .
England won by four wickets with 35 balls to spare , levelling the series 1-1 .
Former India captain Anil Kumble compared Root's impact on England to that of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma on India.
Kumble highlighted Root's 'old-school ODI mindset' — rotating strike, finding gaps, avoiding premeditation — as the key differentiator.
Kumble contrasted Root's approach with captain Harry Brook , saying Brook attempted T20 shots in conditions that demanded patience.
Gus Atkinson hit the winning boundary, leaving Root stranded one run short of a century.
Former India captain and spin legend Anil Kumble has drawn a striking parallel between Joe Root's role in the England batting lineup and the combined influence of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma on Indian cricket — remarks that came after Root's match-winning 99 not out off 133 balls powered England to a four-wicket victory in the second ODI at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff on 17 July, levelling the series 1-1.
Root's Match-Winning Knock
Chasing 234, England's innings was anchored almost entirely by Root, who remained unbeaten as the hosts crossed the line with 35 balls to spare. The veteran batter was left stranded on 99 — one run short of a century — when Gus Atkinson struck the winning boundary. Root's composed, pressure-absorbing innings stood in sharp contrast to the aggressive, risk-heavy approach of his teammates.
What Kumble Said
'Joe Root is to England what Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are to India. Root is the only batter in that England side who still plays with an old-school ODI mindset. The other batters came out attacking from the start, but Root took his time, anchored the innings, and brought calmness to the chase,' Kumble said on Jio Hotstar.
Kumble further credited Root's technical precision: 'His ability to rotate the strike and find gaps makes him incredibly reliable. You know he won't play a risky shot at the wrong time. That kind of game awareness is invaluable.'
Brook vs Root: A Study in Contrasts
Kumble also drew a pointed comparison between Root and England captain Harry Brook, arguing that the conditions in Cardiff demanded patience over power. 'The difference between Harry Brook and Joe Root was evident. Brook tried to play T20 shots in conditions that didn't allow it, whereas Root produced a masterclass in ODI batting,' he observed.
Notably, this contrast reflects a broader tension within England's 'Bazball' philosophy — a high-aggression approach that has redefined Test cricket but can misfire in ODI conditions that require situational awareness.
The Kohli-Rohit-Root Comparison
Expanding his analysis, Kumble drew out what he sees as the shared DNA between Root, Kohli, and Rohit. 'What makes Root, Kohli and Rohit so successful is that their run-scoring looks effortless. They don't premeditate. They react to the ball. They play low-risk, high-reward cricket rather than high-risk, high-reward cricket. When you have that kind of class, grace and mindset, it makes life easier for the entire team,' he said.
The remark underscores a recurring theme in world cricket — that the most durable match-winners are rarely the most flamboyant, but the most situationally intelligent. With the series now level at 1-1, the remaining matches will test whether England can replicate Root's composure across the batting order.
Point of View
But it also quietly indicts England's batting structure. If Root is doing the work of two Indian legends by himself, England's middle-order depth in ODI cricket remains a structural concern — one that Bazball's Test-match success has obscured. Root's 99 not out wasn't just a match-winning knock; it was a reminder that high-aggression batting philosophies need a calm anchor to function under pressure. The Brook-Root contrast Kumble flagged is not a one-match anomaly — it is a recurring pattern that England's selectors and coaches will need to address before a major tournament.
NationPress
17 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Anil Kumble say about Joe Root after the 2nd ODI?
Anil Kumble said Joe Root is to England what Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are to India, praising Root's old-school ODI mindset, ability to rotate strike, and calm under pressure. Kumble made the remarks on Jio Hotstar after Root's 99 not out guided England to a four-wicket win in Cardiff.
How did Joe Root perform in the 2nd ODI at Cardiff?
Joe Root scored an unbeaten 99 off 133 balls to anchor England's successful chase of 234 at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff. He was left one run short of a century when Gus Atkinson hit the winning boundary with 35 balls to spare.
What is the current series score after the 2nd ODI?
The series is level at 1-1 after England's four-wicket win in the 2nd ODI at Cardiff on 17 July. England had lost the first match before Root's knock helped them square the contest.
How did Kumble compare Harry Brook and Joe Root?
Kumble said the difference between Harry Brook and Joe Root was clearly visible in Cardiff. While Brook attempted T20-style shots in conditions that did not allow it, Root produced what Kumble called a masterclass in ODI batting by showing patience and situational awareness.
What quality does Kumble say Root shares with Kohli and Rohit?
Kumble said all three — Root, Kohli, and Rohit — share the ability to score runs without premeditation, reacting to the ball and playing low-risk, high-reward cricket. He credited this mindset with making run-scoring look effortless and easing pressure on the rest of the team.
