As England gear up for a high-voltage Test series against India on home soil, veteran batter Joe Root has expressed excitement about the upcoming contest, calling it one of the ultimate challenges in world cricket. The seasoned campaigner, widely regarded as one of the finest Test batters of his generation, is relishing the opportunity to face a well-rounded Indian team brimming with talent, experience, and depth across departments.
India’s upcoming tour of England promises to be a fiercely competitive affair, with both teams carrying a mix of seasoned performers and promising young stars. England, having embraced the aggressive ‘Bazball’ philosophy under Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes, are looking to assert their dominance in home conditions. But Root knows that India, who came agonizingly close to a historic series win in 2021–22 before the final Test was rescheduled, will be returning with unfinished business on their minds.
Speaking to the media ahead of the first Test, Root acknowledged India’s all-round strength and the threat they pose. “India are a fantastic side. They’ve got world-class batters, dangerous quicks, and a very versatile spin attack. It’s always a proper battle when we play them, and we expect nothing less this time around,” he said.
India’s likely squad boasts the likes of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli (if they decide to continue in Tests), along with young guns such as Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Ruturaj Gaikwad. Their bowling lineup, too, remains threatening with Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and the ever-consistent Ravindra Jadeja forming a potent attack, even in English conditions.
Root, who has enjoyed remarkable success against India in the past—including his memorable 2021 series where he scored 564 runs in four Tests—is once again expected to play a pivotal role in England’s plans. At 33, he remains England’s most technically sound batter in the traditional format, often anchoring innings while the likes of Stokes and Bairstow play their natural attacking game around him.
Despite the home advantage, Root believes England cannot afford to take India lightly. “They are tactically very smart, and they’ve shown they can adapt quickly, even to conditions in England. We’ve seen that with the way their seamers have performed here and how their batters have started to play the moving ball better,” he noted.
This series is not just another bilateral engagement—it could have implications for the World Test Championship (WTC) standings, with both teams in contention for a spot in the next final. England are playing catch-up after some indifferent results, while India are near the top of the table, thanks to their consistency across conditions.
Root’s enthusiasm is not just about the competition but also the atmosphere that such a series brings. “There’s something special about playing India in England. The grounds are packed, the energy is incredible, and the quality of cricket is right up there. These are the series you want to be part of as a cricketer.”
As anticipation builds, Root stands at the heart of England’s hopes. A battle of strategies, skills, and mental toughness awaits, and with Joe Root hungry for another big series, cricket fans are in for a classic England-India showdown.
For more news updates, follow 12B Sports India Facebook .