Joe Root Copy Babar Azam

The cricket world loves drama, rivalry, and memorable celebrations—but few moments catch fire like a gesture that seems to cross international boundaries. One such moment arrived during the second Ashes Test at the Gabba in Brisbane, where England’s Test maestro Joe Root ended his long and frustrating wait for a century in Australia.

But what truly grabbed the internet’s attention was not just the hundred—it was Root’s celebration. Within minutes, fans around the world began asking the same question: Did Joe Root copy Babar Azam?

The comparison sparked one of the most talked-about cricket debates online, mixing excitement, humor, analysis, and even a touch of controversy. Here’s the full story behind the viral celebration.

Joe Root Finally Breaks His Century Drought in Australia

For years, one criticism followed Joe Root everywhere: despite being one of the modern greats, he hadn’t scored a Test century in Australia. He had made ten fifties in Australian conditions, often coming agonizingly close, but the three-figure milestone remained out of reach.

That changed on Day 1 of the pink-ball Test at the Gabba.

Root showcased vintage class—elegant drives, flawless timing, and complete control over the Australian bowling attack. As he reached his hundred, Root visibly soaked in the moment. The English dressing room erupted, commentators praised him, and fans celebrated a long-awaited milestone.

But the celebration that followed quickly stole the spotlight.

The Celebration That Went Viral

After reaching his century, Joe Root removed his helmet, raised his bat, looked toward the crowd, tilted his head slightly, and then delivered a relaxed shrug—a casual, effortless pose.

Cricket fans instantly noticed something familiar.

The gesture closely resembled Babar Azam’s iconic shrug celebration, which the Pakistani star performed during his ODI century against Sri Lanka. That shrug became symbolic—it represented calmness under pressure, confidence, and a touch of swagger that fans adored.

Social media immediately erupted.

Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok—everywhere the same debate appeared:
Was this a coincidence, a tribute, or simply Joe Root copying Babar Azam?

Memes poured in.
Side-by-side comparison videos went viral.
Fans of both players jumped into the discussion.

While some argued Root did it unintentionally, others insisted the timing and gesture were too similar to ignore. Whether playful or serious, the debate only made the moment more memorable.

The focus keyword of the day became clear: Joe Root copy Babar Azam—a phrase repeated by thousands of fans across the web.

Matthew Hayden’s Hilarious Bet Steals Attention

Adding even more spice to the story was former Australian opener—and now popular commentator—Matthew Hayden.

Before the match began, Hayden had made a bold and humorous claim:
If Joe Root doesn’t score a century during the Ashes, he would walk naked around the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

It was meant as a light-hearted joke, but once Root finally reached his century, everyone remembered Hayden’s promise.

Cricket fans began tagging Hayden everywhere, reminding him he had a lot “at stake.” Root’s century, while significant in cricketing terms, also saved Hayden from the embarrassment of his outrageous commitment.

Not missing the chance for fun, England Cricket later posted a humorous video online. In it, Matthew Hayden congratulated Joe Root and joked:

“Good day, Joe. Congratulations, mate, on the hundred here in Australia. Took you a while, and there was no one with more skin in the game than me — literally. I was backing you in. Ten fifties and finally a hundred. You little ripper. Enjoy it, mate.”

This added a comedic twist to an already viral moment, making Root’s century celebration one of the most talked-about moments in the Ashes so far.

Did Joe Root Really Copy Babar Azam?

The key debate remains:
Was Joe Root copying Babar Azam’s celebration?

Let’s explore the possibilities:

1. Coincidence

It’s not unusual for players to express emotion through spontaneous gestures. A shrug can simply be a natural response to achieving something after a long wait.

2. Tribute

Modern cricketers often appreciate each other across borders. Root and Babar have publicly praised each other’s batting multiple times. Many fans believe Root may have been paying friendly respect to Babar.

3. Intentional Mimicry for Fun

Some celebrations are done intentionally to join trends or spark online excitement. Given that Root is aware of cricket culture and memes, this can’t be ruled out.

4. Trend Influence

Babar’s shrug became a viral sensation—players often replicate viral celebrations unknowingly because they become part of cricket culture.

In reality, only Joe Root knows for sure whether the gesture was deliberate. But what’s certain is that it ignited a friendly debate and added global flavor to the Ashes.

Social Media Reaction

The hashtag #JoeRootCopyBabarAzam trended across Pakistan, England, India, and Australia.
Fans debated passionately:

• Some Pakistani fans claimed Root clearly copied Babar’s swagger.

• English fans argued it was natural and unintentional.

• Neutrals enjoyed the banter and posted funny edits.

The rivalry remained playful and respectful, showcasing how cricket celebrations can unite fans across nations.

Why This Debate Matters

Sports moments go viral for a few key reasons:

• They create emotional impact.

• They connect different fanbases.

• They spark conversation beyond the match itself.

• They add personality to players.

The “Joe Root copy Babar Azam” debate checks all these boxes.

At a time when cricket is becoming more global and social-media-driven, such moments help grow the game and give fans something fun to talk about.

Conclusion

Joe Root’s long-awaited Test century in Australia was historic in itself—but his celebration added another layer of excitement, humor, and global conversation. Whether he intended to copy Babar Azam or not, the moment brought fans together, created viral content, and made the Ashes even more entertaining.

What began as a simple shrug turned into one of the most discussed cricket topics online. From Matthew Hayden’s joking wager to the endless comparisons on social media, the debate ensured that Root’s milestone will be remembered for far more than just the runs he scored.

One thing is certain:
Cricket is always better when moments like this spark joy, rivalry, and fun discussion among fans worldwide.