Why Joe Root Might Be the Biggest Headache for India in England?

The India Tour of England 2025 kicks off on June 20, promising an exciting clash. With Shubman Gill as captain and Rishabh Pant as vice-captain, India enters a fresh chapter, aiming to clinch their first Test series win in England since 2007. With stalwarts like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravichandran Ashwin retired, the young squad is ready to carve their own legacy. India’s biggest hurdle will be taking 20 wickets consistently, the key to Test victories and the bowling attack, led by pacers and spinners, must shine in England’s swing- and seam-friendly conditions, where patience is everything.

The bowlers need to stay sharp to outsmart England’s strong batting lineup. Among England’s batsmen, Joe Root stands tall. With over 13,000 Test runs, he’s a red-ball maestro who thrives under pressure. Root has troubled India time and again, whether at Lord’s or Headingley, grinding down their bowlers with his skill. Getting his wicket early will be crucial for India to seize control and tilt the series in their favour. This series is a chance for India’s new generation to make history on English soil. With grit, strategy, and a bit of flair, they’ll look to conquer the challenge and bring home a long-awaited triumph.

How Joe Root Has Performed Against India?

Being a problem for the Indian team, Joe Root has consistently tormented their bowlers across seven Test series from 2012 to 2024, racking up 2,846 runs in 30 matches at an impressive average of 58.08. With 10 centuries and 11 fifties, Root’s ability to pile on runs, whether in England’s swinging conditions or India’s spinning tracks, has made him a tough challenge. His 306 fours and eight sixes over 55 innings show his blend of patience and aggression, making his wicket a prized one for India.

In his Test debut during the 2012/13 England tour of India, Root played one match, scoring 93 runs in two innings. His gritty 73 off 229 balls and an unbeaten 20 showed his knack for handling spin early on. Facing 285 balls at a strike rate of 32.63, he hit five fours and a six, hinting at the trouble he’d cause India in years to come. The 2014 Pataudi Trophy in England saw Root at his peak, topping the run charts with 518 runs in five matches. Across seven innings, he averaged a staggering 103.60, smashing two centuries (154* and 149*) and three fifties. His 56 fours and one six came off 883 balls at a strike rate of 58.66, proving he could dominate India’s attack on home soil.

In the 2016/17 series in India, Root scored 491 runs in five matches, finishing as the second-highest run-scorer. His 10 innings yielded a century (124) and four fifties, averaging 49.10. Facing 901 balls, he struck 51 fours and a six at a strike rate of 54.49, frustrating India’s spinners with his adaptability on turning pitches. The 2018 Pataudi Trophy was tougher for Root, but he still managed 319 runs in five matches across nine innings, averaging 35.44. His century (125) and one fifty, with 34 fours and a six off 608 balls at a strike rate of 52.46, showed his resilience. Despite a duck, his ability to grind out runs kept India’s bowlers working hard.

Root’s 2020/21 series in India featured a stunning 218 in Chennai, part of his 368 runs in four matches. Across eight innings, he averaged 46.00, hitting 35 fours and two sixes off 676 balls at a strike rate of 54.43. His double century was a masterclass, though India’s bowlers fought back to limit his impact in other games. The 2021–22 Pataudi Trophy saw Root in sensational form, leading the series with 737 runs in five matches at an average of 105.28. His nine innings included four centuries and a fifty, with 92 fours and a six off 1,169 balls at a strike rate of 63.04. India’s bowlers struggled to contain him as he dominated consistently.

In the 2023/24 series in India, Root scored 320 runs in five matches across 10 innings, averaging 35.55. His century and a fifty, with 33 fours and a six off 649 balls at a strike rate of 49.30, showed his grit. Though less dominant, he remained a tough opponent. His ability to adapt to different conditions and pile on big scores makes him India’s biggest challenge in the 2025 series.

Which Indian Bowlers Have an Edge Over Joe Root?

The India Tour of England 2025, starting June 20, will see Joe Root’s battles with India’s bowlers as a major highlight. With Shubman Gill leading India in their quest for a first series win in England since 2007, bowlers Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Ravindra Jadeja, and Shardul Thakur face the tough task of getting Root out early. Root, with over 13,000 Test runs, is a master at handling pressure, and his past performances against these bowlers show both challenges and opportunities for India.

Jasprit Bumrah has had the most success against Root, dismissing him nine times while giving up 286 runs off 559 balls. Root averages 31.8 against Bumrah, with a strike rate of 51.2, scoring 36 fours but no sixes. With 411 dot balls, Bumrah has often kept Root quiet, using his pace and swing to trouble him. In England’s seaming conditions, Bumrah’s ability to strike early makes him India’s top weapon. While Root has scored steadily, Bumrah’s nine wickets show he can get the better of him, but he’ll need to stay sharp to keep Root in check.

Mohammed Siraj has struggled more against Root, conceding 236 runs off 349 balls while taking him out twice. Root boasts a massive average of 118.0 against Siraj, with a strike rate of 67.6, hammering 31 fours. With 222 dot balls, Siraj has had some control, but Root’s aggressive scoring, especially at home, has hurt him. Siraj’s loose lines have been punished, and he’ll need to bowl tighter in 2025 to avoid Root cashing in again.

Joe Root alone has more Test centuries than India’s entire squad combined! 😳🤍

A rare sight — Team India looking inexperienced in the longest format! 🏏🇮🇳#ENGvIND #Tests #JoeRoot #India #Sportskeeda pic.twitter.com/ShwQN9yFpw

— Sportskeeda (@Sportskeeda) June 19, 2025

Ravindra Jadeja has bowled the most to Root, leaking 499 runs off 1,142 balls but picking up eight wickets. Root averages 62.4 against Jadeja, with a cautious strike rate of 43.7, hitting 46 fours and two sixes. Jadeja’s 829 dot balls show his ability to keep Root on a leash, but Root’s runs highlight his skill against spin. On pitches that turn, Jadeja’s left-arm spin could be a game-changer, but he’ll need to outfox Root’s solid technique to make breakthroughs.

Shardul Thakur has had fewer clashes with Root, giving up 63 runs off 96 balls and dismissing him twice. Root averages 31.5 against Thakur, with a strike rate of 65.6, including five fours and a six. Thakur’s 59 dot balls suggest some control, but Root’s quick scoring shows he can take charge. Thakur’s seam bowling could exploit early movement in England, but he’ll need to be consistent to challenge Root effectively.

Root’s knack for grinding down attacks makes him India’s biggest hurdle. Bumrah’s pace, Jadeja’s spin, and the seam of Siraj and Thakur will need to fire in unison to dismiss him early. If India can crack the Root code, they’ll be a big step closer to making history on English soil.