The disruption caused by Covid-19 and a shifting focus toward white-ball cricket may have prevented Joe Root from reaching his full potential during his first stint as captain. During a brief period standing in for Ben Stokes against New Zealand, Root admitted to feeling a sense of envy regarding the tactical synergy between Stokes and Brendon McCullum.
Yet, challenges were not his only hurdle; one could argue his captaincy record underperforms relative to the caliber of talent available. During his tenure, England boasted peak Ben Stokes, legendary bowlers James Anderson and Stuart Broad, and versatile all-rounders like Chris Woakes and Moeen Ali. While he missed the chance to lead a prime Alastair Cook, a veteran Cook would have undoubtedly bolstered the current squad.
Root returns to leadership with a much more inexperienced squad than the one he previously commanded. In 2017, he was one of the youngest captains in the Test XI; by 2026, at age 35, he will be the most senior member. This transition raises concerns among supporters regarding his batting form, as his average of 46.7 while captaining sits notably lower than his career average of 53.3.
This discrepancy stems largely from a difficult period during his first term, specifically in 2019, just before the pandemic hit. However, Root demonstrated immense resilience during the pandemic, scoring a staggering 1,708 runs in 2021—the most by any England batter in a single year—noting that the concentration required while batting was his only reprieve from the team’s struggles.
Currently, Root remains England’s premier batter. Since the advent of the “Bazball” era, he has outscored every other batter in the world by nearly 1,000 runs and is rapidly closing in on Sachin Tendulkar on the all-time run-scoring list. Managing his pursuit of legendary status while leading the team is a dual responsibility he is confident he can master.
His primary objective will be to refine a squad whose technical foundations were shaken by the aggressive, informal approach of the previous era. The squad faces structural gaps, including unresolved questions regarding the opening slot, wicketkeeping, and the lack of a specialist world-class spinner.
England enters their series against Pakistan as favorites, especially with Pakistan’s captain Babar Azam sidelined by injury. Despite the odds, Pakistan remains a threat, particularly with bowlers like Mohammad Abbas and Sajid Khan, who have previously troubled England. A competitive series is likely if the tourists can secure early momentum.
The schedule ahead is grueling, featuring tours of South Africa and Bangladesh, a pink-ball Test against Australia, and a 2028 trip to India. Navigating this intense period will be a profound test for Root.
Beyond tactical and on-field challenges, Root has emphasized the importance of character, urging his players to be “good role models and good human beings” following recent off-field controversies. In his pursuit of historical milestones, Root’s true legacy may rest on his ability to rebuild this England team and lead them through these complex challenges.