Joe Root: England’s Battle with Mumbai Heat and Smog Might Have Caused the Defeat 

It was not England’s day at Wankhede stadium when they faced hotheaded South Africa in a gripping encounter. According to Joe Root, England’s cricket team faced a formidable opponent not only in the form of South Africa but also in the unrelenting Mumbai heat and smog.

Captain Jos Buttler’s decision to bowl first after winning the toss would prove to be a fateful one, as England struggled to cope with the challenging conditions, ultimately leading to a 229-run defeat that severely hampered their Cricket World Cup aspirations.

The weather conditions in Mumbai that day were nothing short of grueling. With temperatures soaring to 35°C and air quality dipping to levels rated as “very unhealthy,” the players on both sides found themselves gasping for air.

These conditions were particularly punishing for South Africa’s Heinrich Klaasen, who, after a blistering 67-ball innings of 109, was unable to return to the field. England’s Adil Rashid, already weakened by illness, also struggled to catch his breath during the game.

Joe Root, one of England’s key players, expressed his astonishment at the challenges they faced on that fateful day. “I’ve not played in anything like that before,” Root remarked. “It was like you were eating the air. It was unique.”

He went on to explain how even though he had experienced hotter and more humid conditions, the Mumbai heat and smog made it exceptionally difficult to breathe. It was similiar condition for all players as most of the English players looked exhausted and uncomfortable after fielding for 50 overs in a day game.

The impact of these conditions was palpable, and Root pointed out that even players who were in excellent physical shape were affected. “You walk out onto the field, and your shirt’s soaking wet, and you have a lot heavier breath than you would do, and you know you’ve done your fitness and stuff, it’s not like you’re short on that. So you are very aware of it,” he added.

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Adil Rashid, who put in a commendable performance despite his illness, provided further insight into the challenging situation. The noises he made while walking back to his mark illustrated the struggles the players faced in regaining their breath. Root also acknowledged that this was the kind of adversity one must contend with when playing cricket in India during this time of year.

When asked whether he believed the pollution rather than the heat had made it difficult to breathe, Root remained uncertain. “Who knows whether it was air quality? I’m not qualified to know,” he admitted. The hazy conditions on the ground and the stark visual contrast across the stadium were hard to ignore. Whether it was due to air quality or other factors, the experience was undoubtedly a new and demanding one for the England team.

However, England captain Jos Buttler won the toss and elected to field first in those conditions by his own wish because according to his experience of IPL, Wankhede is perfectly suited for chasing. Conditions were difficult but the impact it had on England’s defeat is not admissible.