Joe Root was over the moon after guiding England to a comprehensive 227-run victory over India in the first Test at Chepauk on Tuesday (February 9).
Root led his team from the front as he slammed 218 to propel the visitors to a massive 578 in the first innings. The England captain also scored a quick-fire 40 in the second essay, enabling the tourists to set an improbable target of 420 for India.
In the fourth innings, the hosts bowled got out for 192. Apart from Virat Kohli (72) and Shubman Gill (50), none of the batsmen managed to touch the 20-run mark.
For England, Jack Leach took four wickets in India’s second innings while James Anderson returned with the figures of 3 for 17.
“To take 20 wickets in alien conditions is a brilliant job from the bowlers. Knew from the outset it was going to be a good wicket. The first partnership got us going. Different stages guys came in and contributed. That's got to be the way - if we're going to win out here someone has to do that. Fortunately it was me this week,” Root, who was adjudged Player-of-the-Match, said at the presentation ceremony.
“We are looking to collectively bat and make big scores, it’s going to be our best chance because we know India are going to come back very hard at us,” he added.
Asked about their second innings declaration that never came, the England captain said the idea was to get to 400 and take India's win out of the equation.
“The idea was to get to 400 and from there on speed things up a little bit. Didn’t quite materialise like that but having spent a long time out there, (I) knew that the wicket had changed drastically and it was going to change going into today (Day 5). The key aspect was to make sure that the Indian win was out of the equation and the guys handled the pressure very well."
Root showered rich praise on veteran pacer Anderson, who got the prized scalps of Gill, Ajinkya Rahane (0) and Rishabh Pant (11) on Day 5.
“He is the GOAT of English cricket. He finds ways to constantly challenge himself and get better. At 38, to still get better, and being fit as he has ever been, huge credit to his desire to play for England. A great role model for the rest of us and his skill level is right up there as good as anyone you’ll ever see,” he remarked.
The second will also be played in Chennai from February 13.
