Joe Root resigns as England Test Captain

Pressure taking out one of the best

Taking over the Test captaincy from Alastair Cook in 2017, Joe Root, in his five-year tenure, has brought many laurels to the team and country. In his captaincy reign, he led England to victory in 27 and 26 defeats of the 64 Test matches played under his captaincy. The stats make him one of the most successful English Test captains. While Joe Root, the batter, has never been a question or a matter of doubt for the management, it is his captaincy skills that have come under scrutiny because, in the last 17 Test matches in which he led as a captain, his side has been able to win only one.

The team faced its latest defeat against West Indies in Grenada. Following the loss, Joe Root had been affirmative in taking the team forward. He went on to say that the team had made a "big improvement" and had played good cricket despite their 1-0 defeat. After this defeat, the public and recent predecessors called him out publicly to step down as captain. And thus, after ending the tour of the West Indies, he decided to step down from the role.

"After returning from the Caribbean tour and having time to reflect, I have decided to step down as England's men's Test captain. It has been the most challenging decision I have had to make in my career but having discussed this with my family and those closest to me, I know the timing is right," Joe Root said.

On his resignation, ECB chief executive Tom Harrison said Root had been "an exceptional role model during his tenure, balancing the demands of Test captaincy whilst continuing to shine brilliantly through his own personal performances". He further added, "Off the field, Joe has been no different. It has been a privilege and a huge pleasure to have worked with him in his capacity as our Test captain, and I know he'll continue to drive English cricket forward as a senior player, offering his wealth of experience and advice to support his successor." 

Joe Root, the batter - was always in form, scoring runs.

While captaincy is believed to burden the player and affect his role as a batter or bowler, Joe Root defied the belief and accumulated 1708 runs last year, which was the most by any England player and third-most by any player in a calendar year. 

He will continue to represent his country in international cricket as a player and help the upcoming captain take over the role swiftly. Ben Stokes, Root's vice-captain, is the early favorite to succeed him as captain. Rory Burns, Stuart Broad, and Jos Buttler are among the other contenders, though none is sure of a place in England's best XI.

Only one left from the Fab-4

Virat Kohli, Steven Smith, and now Joe Root have graciously left the roles after leading their sides to innumerable memorable victories. With Joe Root stepping down from the captaincy of the national test team, only Kane Williamson is left as the only member of the Fab-4 to lead his national side. With captaincy pressure laid off, maybe we'll get to see more ferocious batting from Joe Root.