Heartwarming! Joe Root's Pinky Finger Celebration And Its Connection To Coach Brendon McCullum

Amidst the enthusiasm of the ongoing series between England and India, Joe Root's reaction to his milestone left former Indian skipper Sunil Gavaskar disheartened. While the occasion called for jubilation, Root's subdued demeanour puzzled many.

AP

Yet, a subtle gesture towards his teammates outside the ground ignited a storm on social media. With a raise of his helmet and bat, Root's pinky finger salute to his comrades resonated deeply with loyal England cricket fans.

But what was the inspiration behind this mysterious celebration? Let's find out.

Joe Root and Ben Stokes' 'Rock and Roll' tribute to coach McCullum

England cricket enthusiasts may recall a memorable moment when former England captain Joe Root pulled off a unique celebration.

Back in July 2022, during a thrilling match against India in Birmingham, Root hit a brilliant century, sealing victory with an unbeaten 142 runs.

As he glanced towards the dressing room, he wiggled his little finger in a familiar gesture. This wasn't a one-time thing; Ben Stokes had done something similar the day before.

Reuters

It turns out there's a fascinating 'Rock and Roll' connection, with their head coach, Brendon McCullum, at the heart of it all. McCullum, the former New Zealand captain, had been captivated by the biopic of the legendary Elvis Presley.

Inspired by the King of Rock and Roll, McCullum began making the iconic finger gesture in the team camp. And so, Root and Stokes paid homage to McCullum's newfound love for Elvis with their celebratory gesture on the cricket field.

IMDB

¡°Ben (England coach McCullum) has wanted us to be entertainers, he¡¯s mentioned trying to be ¡®rock stars¡¯ on the field,¡± Root later explained after England's seven-wicket win. "Ben watched the Elvis Presley film the other day, and he¡¯s been doing that all week, so it¡¯s a little tribute to him."

Ben Stokes cheers Joe Root's century in crucial test

CAPTAIN STOKES REACTION ON JOE ROOT'S HUNDRED ? pic.twitter.com/oAZ4VTFPUj

¡ª Tyson (@tyson18__) February 23, 2024

Ben Stokes expressed great satisfaction with Root's century, especially after Root had been struggling with his batting form for a while. Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum had supported Root despite his low scores in the six innings leading up to the Ranchi Test.

As England prepares for Day 2 of the fourth Test, Root's outstanding performance is a big morale booster. It's crucial for England as they aim to bounce back from their loss in Rajkot and avoid their first series defeat under the Bazball era.

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