'Pujara will be a huge wicket': Root acknowledges England's daunting task ahead of Tests

As India and England gear up to square-off in four match Test series, skipper Joe Root has alrey identified and pre-empted threat that visitors face when battling Virat Kohli & Co. with World Test Championship's finale berth on line. While Root asserted that Englishmen are confident after whitewashing Sri Lanka in subcontinent, he also mitted that playing Men in Blue is t an easy task. Ackwledging Cheteshwar Pujara threat possessed by India in Tests, England captain said that Indian would be a 'huge wicket'. 

'Great challenge'

dressing a press conference on even of Chepauk Test, Root said, "I think he (Pujara) is a fantastic player, I h pleasure of playing a couple of games with him for Yorkshire. To learn from him and speak about batting, was really interesting. Playing against him and being on wrong end of him scoring some runs, you learn from those kinds of innings. You have seen his importance and what he ds to Indian team, he is going to be a huge wicket for us, doubt." 

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Revealing his plans to tackle Pujara, Root said that his team would have to be 'mentally strong' as Indian is at crease. English speaker also highlighted Pujara's record at home and ded it will be a great challenge 'to come up against him'.

Speaking of blow suffered by England with Zak Crawley being ruled out of first 2 Tests, Root said that it is 'really frustrating'. "It is really frustrating, really frustrating for Zak in particular. Walking out of changeroom, he slipped over and landed on his wrist. We have to look at things from a selection point of view, everything is on table in terms of selection,” he ded. 

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Refraining from giving away starting XI for first Test at Chepauk, Root said that team would look at conditions and pitch to have 'clarity'. “We will look at conditions and pitch again to have clarity heing into game. We can go with a number of options, that is exciting part for us, we have a number of different players who can play at different positions,” England captain said. 

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Pant to play Chepauk Test

On eve of first Test against England, Indian skipper Virat Kohli has confirmed that Rishabh Pant will assume wicketkeeping duties at Chepauk following his glorious form in Australia. Kohli, who has returned to squ after missing last three Tests Down Under, exuded confidence in youngster and remarked that Pant will continue to be 'backed'. Indian skipper also confirmed that Jasprit Bumrah will start at Chepauk highlighting his heroics against England in last home series. He also hinted at continuing with opening pair of Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma in long haul. 

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