Ashwin has already claimed 17 wickets in the ongoing Test series against India.
Ashwin is having a great time in the ongoing Test series against England. He has claimed 17 wickets from the first two Tests and also scored a classy century on a tough Chepauk track in the second Test.
See Also: "Unfortunate Ashwin is not a part of India's white-ball scheme," says Gautam Gambhir
"Yeah, he (Ashwin) is a world-class performer. I think it's been quite tricky for everyone but as you mentioned, in particular, the left-handers is against him... because you know how skilful he is, how good his record is against left-handers in world cricket," Root said in the pre-match press conference.
“So, he is a fine performer at home and guys just have to keep working hard to try and figure out how they’re going to score every run,” he added.
In the second Test, Ashwin slammed 106 to help India post 286 their second innings on a pitch where most of the top-order batsmen found tough to get going.
Commenting on Ashwin’s knock, Root recalled how the former unsettled left-arm spinner Jack Leach and did not allow him to bowl a particular length.
“I watched how he played Leachy in the previous game, and scoring that hundred, how he used the crease to his advantage, not just coming down the wicket also but getting deep in his crease and trying to make it very hard for Jack to bowl one length there,” he remarked.
Root also hailed India’s wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant for his batting skills but added that he gives the opposition chances.
“We know Rishabh is extremely talented but he will give you a chance, and we just got to be ready to take that when it comes,” he said.
The renovated Sardar Patel Stadium in Ahmedabad will host the third Test between India and England. It is the world's largest cricket stadium with a sitting capacity of 1,10,000 and the England captain was all praise for the refurbished stadium.
“It’s a phenomenal stadium. I’m sure it’s going to see some brilliant cricket over the years. Hopefully, the wicket can produce some very good cricket and the two sides can do that as well. I’m sure the atmosphere within will be electric.
“It was great to see fans back in the previous game and so I’m sure, with the capacity of this ground, that noise will go up again and that’s what you want to be a part of in these big games,” Root said.
(With PTI inputs)