On the third day of the fourth Test match between England and India at Old Trafford, Manchester, a crucial moment unfolded involving England’s star batter Joe Root.
During a tense morning session, when England was attempting to stabilize a faltering innings, Root narrowly escaped being run out. The missed opportunity could have significantly altered the course of the match.
The incident took place on the final delivery of the 54th over, bowled by India’s Mohammed Siraj. The ball rose awkwardly from a good length, and Root managed to fend it off towards the gully region. The fielder there attempted a dive and managed to get his fingers on the ball, which then deflected toward Ravindra Jadeja, who was positioned at backward point.
Despite the risky nature of the situation, Root and his partner Ollie Pope opted to steal a quick single. Jadeja had a clear view and sufficient time to aim his throw at the bowler’s end. At the moment Jadeja gathered the ball, Root was already halfway down the pitch, clearly in a vulnerable position.
However, Jadeja’s throw missed the stumps, allowing Root to survive.The chance went begging partly due to poor positioning and lack of awareness by the close-in fielders. Jadeja, known for his sharp fielding, appeared visibly frustrated.
He gestured angrily at his teammates, urging them to be more alert and move closer to the stumps. If there had been proper backup near the wickets, the throw could have resulted in a dismissal.Root’s escape was a pivotal moment, as his wicket at that time could have spelled trouble for England.
😖 Crucial Miss!
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Team India misses a golden run-out opportunity at the bowler’s end!
Moments like these can shift the game big time… 💔
Need sharper fielding to bounce back! 💪#INDvsENG #ManchesterTest #MissedChance #ComeOnIndia #War2Trailer pic.twitter.com/p3cHSTuLNj
With their innings still fragile, losing their most dependable batter might have tipped the balance in India’s favor. Instead, the missed chance allowed England to maintain some stability in a crucial phase of the game.