Mystery behind Joe Root-Ben Stokes pinky finger celebration

On Day One of the ongoing fourth Test against India, former England skipper Joe Root rescued the team from the collapse. After winning the toss and electing to bat first, the Three Lions were 112/5 before Lunch. However, Root and Ben Foakes put together 113 runs including the visitors not losing a wicket in the second session. While the latter failed to get his fifty, the former Test skipper got his first hundred of the series.

After getting the milestone, current England Test skipper Ben Stokes could be seen gesturing the Pinky Finger celebration and Root reciprocated. Talking about the mystery behind the celebration, it all started when India traveled to England to play a one-off Test and white-ball series in 2022. The Red Ball game wasn’t part of the initial plans. Apparently, this Test match was scheduled for another date in 2021 as some of the members of the Indian camp were tested for COVID-19.

Meanwhile, ahead of the game, the European team decided on a movie night. They watched a Hollywood film called ‘Elvis,’ a biological drama based on legendary musician Elvis Presley. Austin Butler played the lead, and the movie was a massive hit at the box office.

“Ben (England coach McCullum) has wanted us to be entertainers, he’s mentioned trying to be ‘rock stars’ on the field,” Root later mentioned after guiding England to a 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.”

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Joe Root helps the team out of a rut

Meanwhile, the ODI World Cup 2019 winner continues to remain at the crease. On Day One, he went unbeaten in the dressing room, alongside Ollie Robinson, who is playing his first Test in India. The latter scored his maiden Test fifty before getting out to Ravindra Jadeja. At the time of writing, the visitors have lost nine wickets for 351.