Joe Root Responds to Kevin Pietersen’s Criticism Over England’s Training

England’s star batter Joe Root has fired back at Kevin Pietersen after his harsh criticism of England’s preparation during their 3-0 ODI series defeat against India. Root emphasized that outside commentators like Pietersen do not see the team’s hard work behind the scenes.

• England has lost three consecutive ODI series to India, West Indies, and Australia.
• Kevin Pietersen accused the team of prioritizing golf over cricket practice.
• Joe Root defended the squad, saying critics don’t see their efforts.
• England prepares for the Champions Trophy 2025 opener against Australia on February 22 in Lahore.

Pietersen’s Criticism and Root’s Response

During the India series, Pietersen questioned England’s training habits, claiming players were more focused on golf than cricket. He remarked, “You get paid to score runs. You don’t get paid to play golf.”

Root strongly disagreed, saying, “They don’t come to training. They don’t see what we do and how we operate.” He insisted that the team remains fully committed to improving their game.

England’s Struggles in ODIs

England’s batting failures were evident in the India series, with players like Root, Ben Duckett, and Phil Salt struggling to convert starts into big scores. This poor form raises concerns as England prepares for the Champions Trophy 2025.

Some key reasons behind England’s struggles:

• Inconsistent batting performances.
• Failure to build big partnerships.
• Lack of adaptability to subcontinent conditions.

England’s Road to Redemption

Despite setbacks, Root remains optimistic. He believes England can turn things around by utilizing their experience and teamwork. He stressed the importance of smart discussions and learning from past mistakes.

“Can we find a way to speed up the process by having good, smart conversations and using our experience?” Root asked.

Can England Bounce Back in Champions Trophy 2025?

England, under Jos Buttler’s leadership, aims to repeat their 2017 Champions Trophy performance when they reached the semifinals under Eoin Morgan before losing to Pakistan.

England’s Key Strategies for Success:

• Better shot selection to avoid collapses.
• Tactical training focused on adjusting to different conditions.
• Strong leadership from experienced players like Root and Buttler.

What’s Next for England?

With the Champions Trophy approaching, England has a chance to prove their critics wrong. The match against Australia on February 22 will be a big test for their comeback hopes.

Will England overcome their struggles and silence their doubters? Fans eagerly wait to see if Root and his teammates can rise to the challenge.