“Couldn’t even remember our team at the toss” - Joe Root

England captain Joe Root admitted that the massive occasion of playing his 100th Test made him a little emotional at the start of the game.

Joe Root revealed that the players made it a special day for him and that he seemed a bit lost in the midst of it all. In an interaction with the press at the end of the day’s play, the England captain conceded:

“I was a little bit emotional. I couldn’t even remember our team at the toss when they asked about it. I was a little bit all over the place. But, I knew I had a job to do. The guys have made it very special for me and I really appreciate it. It has been an amazing day."

Joe Root won the toss and decided to bat. Once out on the field, the 30-year-old put all the emotions behind him and was his usual self.

The England captain made his 100th Test even more special by smashing a century during this milestone Test. Joe Root was unbeaten on 128 at the end of the first day’s play in Chennai, as the visitors finished on a strong 263 for 3. Opener Dom Sibley was dismissed for 87 in the last over of the day’s play.

Reflecting on England’s performance on Day 1, Joe Root said:

“It will be nice if we can make this start count and build on what has been a brilliant first day.”

A hundred in his 100th Test for Joe Root 👏Outstanding knock from the England skipper.#INDvENG | https://t.co/gnj5x4GOos pic.twitter.com/KULnmIBRtA

— ICC (@ICC) February 5, 2021

We've got to try and get as much as we can: Joe Root

Asked if England are looking for a 400-450 plus score in the first innings, Joe Root stated that the team were hoping for a much higher score. The England skipper stated:

“I think we’ve got to try and get as much as we can, 600-700 if we can. We have to try to make the most of the first innings. If we can bat the whole of tomorrow and maybe into Day 3, things can speed up. You never know what can happen. We have got off to a really impressive start, but we have got to make it count.”

Jasprit Bumrah breaks the solid 200-run stand between Dom Sibley and Joe Root, and it's stumps in Chennai!England lose their opener for 87.#INDvENG | https://t.co/gnj5x4GOos pic.twitter.com/jt868a591f

— ICC (@ICC) February 5, 2021

Joe Root will be keen to convert his hundred into a massive score on Day 2. He has displayed a rich vein of form over the last few Tests. In fact, he was the standout batsman for the team in Sri Lanka, with scores of 228 and 186 in the two Tests played in Galle.