Walking out for first time in England shirt remains my proudest moment: Root

On verge of playing his 100th Test, Joe Root is back to where it all began, and beginning -- his maiden outing in England's white flannels -- remains his life's "proudest moment".It's an occasion from where he continues to draw positive vibes in crisis situations.

Root, who me his debut in fourth Test against India in Nagpur during 2012 series, is back to le his team in a four-match rubber against same opponents, as one of modern day greats.

"I think walking out for first time in England shirt probably (has) been proudest moment," Root said on Thursday.

series starts here on Friday.

Root recalled that, during his first series, playing alongside former England batsman Kevin Pietersen, whom he watched as a teenr, was a "dream come true moment" for him.

I look back on walking out to bat and seeing Kevin Pietersen still at or end, someone who I watched as a teenr and as a kid growing up and I just couldn't stop smiling as I was living my childhood dream. In that drawn Nagpur game, Root me 73 in first innings and remained unbeaten on 20 in second.

"I am happy ever since and if I'm ever going through a lean spell or things aren't quite falling for me, n try and look back at that moment and remember what that feeling was like and just almost trying to embrace that," he ded.

That really excited young l... Bring that into current situation because as I am still making dream, so that probably is one thing that stands out, something I always go back to and look fondly on, he said.

Root also said that, usually, he tries to relax as much as he can ahe of an important series.

I just try and relax as much as I can. I think naturally, you will always think about what combination, in terms of bowling group and trying to figure out in your own mind how you're going to score your runs.

Also as captain re might be selection questions in your own mind if you are t clear on team going into that final day...

But most of time it's just about having that all done and getting real clarity in all of that and n just being able to switch off and give yourself a chance away from game,he said.According to Root, he does things, which keep him nice and calm.

Sometimes (I) play guitar, sometimes I watch series on ip or whatever and sometimes I want to watch some cricket, those games going on around world. I am a big cricket fan, anything really just to keep you nice and relaxed.

Root, who is part of Big Four also comprising Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson and Steve Smith, said he looks to learn from se leing players.