Root does a la Gavaskar, bats left-handed

Rawalindi: England batsman Joe Root did a la Sunil Gavaskar, stunning the cricket world on Sunday when he batted left-handed during the first Test against Pakistan.
Root made the most of the batsman-friendly conditions in Rawalpindi when he faced up left-handed to Zahid Mahmood for the first two deliveries of the Pakistan spinner’s sixth over.
The former England skipper swept the first ball directly to the fielder at square leg, before he was dropped by Naseem Shah at mid-wicket on the ensuing delivery.
Root obviously took the hint as he quickly ditched the idea and played the remainder of his innings as he usually does as a right-hander and was ironically out sweeping Mahmood later in his innings.
Pakistan opener Imam-ul-Haq held on to the catch this time as Root was dismissed for 73 as England continued the aggressive approach, they have displayed consistently throughout this first Test.
Gavaskar batted left-handed for Bombay against Karnataka in the Ranji Trophy semifinal in March 1982 at M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Seeing the Little Master taking guard as a left-hander left Karnataka players and spectators stunned. He did the purpose of using LBW rule to his advantage on a day when the ball was spinning prodigiously, spinner Raghuram Bhat said.
“When he took his stance as a left-hander, we were all surprised. Then, I realized that it was to smother the spin. At the time, the front foot LBW rule was not there. Now, the rule has changed. If the umpire thinks the ball will hit the stumps, the batsman will be given out.
Back then, it was an advantage for the batsman and he made the most of it. Gavaskar took advantage of the rule. At that particular time, he implemented it (rule) which was in his (batsman’s) favour. Implementation of the right rule at the right moment is the key. That is what Mr. Gavaskar did at the time,” Bhat had explained. (UNI)