- India v England, 4th Test, Nagpur, 2nd day
Root pleased with patient debut innings
Joe Root admits he was a little disappointed to miss out on a debut century after making an impressive start to Test cricket.
Root matched the exploits of Kevin Pietersen to top score with 73 as England reached 330 all out on the second day in Nagpur.
James Anderson's 3 for 24 helped England take command of the final test as they chase their first series victory in India in 27 years.
It was a tough debut for Root on a slow pitch, batting for nearly five hours as he faced 229 deliveries.
"[ I had to] just really work hard and grind it out, because the guys who'd gone in before said it was tough," Root said. "I had to get my bearings, and stay patient. You just try to adapt to the conditions and situation, and make the most of what you've got."
He added: "It would be wrong to say there's no nerves when you're waiting to bat in Test cricket for the first time. But I've got a great team around me, who are very encouraging and very helpful. Then once I got in the middle, I was quite relaxed.
"I'm obviously delighted to get the opportunity, and then to score a few runs is a really good feeling. I've been dreaming about this opportunity for a very long time, and I'm very proud I've finally got it."
When asked about scoring a debut century, Root replied: "I wasn't really thinking that far ahead, but that's what you dream of as a kid. It'll just make me more determined if I get an opportunity in the future."
© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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