IND vs ENG: Joe Root best-ever England batsman against spin, says Ben Stokes

England all-rounder Be Stokes has hailed his captain Joe Root for his stellar 218-run knock in the first innings of first Test against India in Chennai. Joe Root playing in his 100th Test slammed his 20th hundred in the longest format before converting it into his 5th double hundred.

Joe Root's magic at Chepauk has helped England post 555 for 8 on Day 2 of the Test. Ben Stokes after the end of day's play, called Joe root the best-ever England batsman against spin. Stokes added that the brilliance of Root make others feel "rubbish" about themselves.

"He makes us all feel pretty rubbish, how easy he makes batting look. I was quite surprised he ran down the wicket and hit a six to bring up the double. He is in phenomenal form, just making things very, very easy. The way he plays spin, dominates spin, it is incredible to watch and I don't that there has been an English batsman ever to play the way he does. He has got an answer for everything which is thrown at him. He is just a delight to watch at the moment," Ben Stokes said in a



virtual press conference.

England have batter for 180 overs in the match and Stokes revealed that his team will love to spend another one hour on the crease on Sunday.

"No thoughts whatsoever for a declaration tonight. We have decided to score as many runs as we can after winning the toss and batting first in India. If we can bat for another hour tomorrow, we will be very happy about it," Stokes said.

Further, the 29-year-old, who himself scored 82 runs of just 118 balls, said that England batting unit should be credited for their good show on a 'not so easy' wicket.

"There has been spin, bounce and reverse. We have just played really well. I think you got to give us credit there. It's not been the easiest, I think we have given us the opportunity as a batsman to score on a pitch which is offering to the bowlers. There were a lot of balls which spun from the rough today and we saw Ishant Sharma bowl reverse swing and get two in two. That can happen out here. I think we played really well as a batting unit."