Joe Root Discusses His Transition from Captain to Key Batter in England Test Team

Joe Root Reflects on His Return to the England Test Squad
In a recent interview, Joe Root shared his mixed emotions regarding his comeback to the England Test team after stepping down as captain in favor of Ben Stokes. He described his early experiences as both challenging and unusual, yet he managed to establish himself as a key batsman following his captaincy. Root made a conscious effort to avoid overshadowing Stokes while channeling his energy into a remarkable run of form, resulting in an impressive tally of 3,117 runs at an average of 56.67 across 36 Tests under Stokes' leadership.
Insights from Joe Root
Root expressed gratitude towards Stokes, stating, "Ben did so much for me as my vice-captain, and now it’s my turn to support him. Returning to the team after leading was both difficult and strange. I aimed to avoid stepping on his toes while ensuring he knew I was there for him."
He emphasized the importance of contributing runs, saying, "I wanted to influence matches with my batting. Following his lead as a former captain sends a strong message to newcomers or less established players in the team."
Root concluded by sharing his enjoyment of the current phase of his career, noting, "This has become the most enjoyable time for me. The way we play and the environment created by Ben and head coach Brendon McCullum has been fantastic, making the experience incredibly fun."