Thu Feb 06 17:26:48 UTC 2025: ## Root’s ODI Return Cut Short by Jadeja in England’s Nagpur Defeat
Nagpur, India – England’s Joe Root’s return to One Day International cricket ended in disappointment as he fell victim to Indian spinner Ravindra Jadeja in the first ODI against India. Root, playing his first ODI since the 2023 World Cup, managed only 19 runs from 31 balls before being bowled leg-before-wicket by Jadeja. His dismissal contributed to England’s relatively low total of 248 runs.
The match highlighted a continuing struggle for Root against Jadeja. According to ESPNcricinfo, Jadeja has now dismissed Root four times in their ODI encounters, with Root averaging a mere 28.75 against the Indian spinner across 10 innings. This includes a significant number of dot balls, further emphasizing Jadeja’s dominance. This is the 12th time Jadeja has outperformed Root across all formats.
While Root enjoyed a stellar ODI career from his debut in 2013 to 2019, scoring 5,856 runs at an average of 51.36, his form has dipped since 2020. His average has fallen to 28.54 in 29 matches since then, a significant drop from his previous peak performance. This decline continued in the recent World Cup where he averaged 30.7.
Despite his recent struggles, Root remains a significant figure in English ODI cricket, boasting a career total of 6,541 runs in 172 matches. However, his performance in Nagpur serves as a reminder of the challenges he continues to face, particularly against the skillful bowling of Ravindra Jadeja.
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