Refreshed Root Returns To Bolster England’s Middle Order

Nagpur: Enjoying a rich vein of form in Test cricket, Joe Root is set to make his first ODI appearance since 2023. England skipper Jos Buttler confirmed on Wednesday that Root will bat at No. 3 in the Nagpur ODI, marking his return to the 50-over format.Since stepping down as Test captain, Root has rediscovered his best touch. However, he has been in and out of England's white-ball setup and has not featured in a T20 international since 2019. Buttler believes Root will return fully refreshed and ready to make an impact."Look at what he's done in Test cricket since giving up the captaincy—he's got that cheeky smile back and is enjoying his game again," Buttler said in the pre-match press conference. "I expect him to bring the same energy here. His experience in ODIs will be invaluable, especially for some of the younger players in our squad."As England's all-time leading Test run-scorer and the second-highest in ODIs, Root's presence will add stability to the middle order. "He's one of the greats across formats, and he's been a key figure in England's ODI success for a long time. I'm excited to see him in this new phase of his career," Buttler added.