Ben Stokes And Jofra Archer Give The Squad A Huge Boost Against India - Joe Root

England captain, Joe Root is confident of competing well against India when they tour the subcontinent giants next month. Root’s faith in his side comes from the fact that two stalwarts, speedster Jofra Archer and all-rounder Ben Stokes will return to the squad after being rested for the Sri Lanka tour.

With a busy schedule in 2021, the England board has decided to rotate their players, especially pacers. Hence Archer, and Stokes, both of whom played in the IPL and in the home Test matches were rested.

England is expected to play about 17 Test matches by early next year. Hence, it is imperative to keep their players, especially those who play all three formats,  fresh.

“You speak to any side in the world, those two guys coming back into it would give the squad a huge boost and it’s certainly the case for us. We (will be) excited to see them back in and around the squad. Hopefully, they are full of energy and ready to go when they get here,” Joe Root told reporters.

“It’s a huge year of Test cricket and also a World Cup, a lot of one-day cricket alongside. We’re going to have to look after players. It’s crucial we’ve got guys who are fit and raring to go, physically and mentally, for everything that’s going to be thrown at us in the next 12 months,” Root added.

We have to be at our absolute best against India: Joe Root

Joe Root believes that his team has to be at their best when they will be up against India, who are coming off a historic series victory in Australia. The right-hander admits that it is going to be challenging beating India in India, however, his team is ready to do the hard work.

Root, who won the Man of the Match in the first Test against Sri Lanka for his double hundred, at the moment focussing on the second Test commencing Friday.

“I expect India to be full of confidence and in their own conditions, they are a very good team. They play some very good cricket. We have to be at our absolute best. But that’s an exciting prospect for us, a great opportunity for us, it’s a great way to aid our development as a side.”

“And we will be going there fully expecting to try and win that series. But we have got a lot of hard work to do before we get there. We got a big Test match here,” added the English skipper.

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