India v England - Joe Root’s absence leaves ‘massive gap’ admits Eoin Morgan

The Test captain, who averages 50.1 and has made 16 centuries after 149 matches in the format, has not returned to Asia for the final leg of the tour ahead of matches today, Friday and Sunday.

With travel routes posing a logistical challenge and a mandatory quarantine period on arrival in India, Yorkshire’s Root, alongside seamer Chris Woakes, will enjoy an extended rest period.

“Obviously losing Joe Root leaves a massive hole for a guy who scores at a run a ball and averages 50, he’s an exceptional player and has been for a long time,” said Morgan said.

“I hope it doesn’t change the dynamics too much. We will miss him but it’s just got to be a matter of somebody slotting in at three and going about it in their own business.”

Morgan dismissed any notion of the one-day series being an anti-climax as he challenged those on the periphery of the white-ball sides to use the experience to push their T20 World Cup claims.

A lot of attention has been on the Test and T20 assignments of a seven-week tour which will conclude on Sunday.

Moeen Ali was unused in each of the five T20s as India exposed one or two flaws in England’s set-up to claim a 3-2 victory and burnish their credentials ahead of the global tournament they are hosting this year.

But the off-spinning all-rounder, alongside the likes of Sam Billings, Liam Livingstone and Reece Topley, may come into the reckoning in Pune this week, and Morgan insists the matches will be a useful exercise.

Asked whether those on the margins can put themselves in the frame for a squad place at the World Cup, Morgan replied: “Absolutely. Given the squads are very similar, we see both skill sets as very valuable.

“Playing any international cricket is a huge opportunity for guys who have been here on the fringes and not made selection so far. We see the 50-over format between the two T20 World Cups as a building block for our squad.

“It has been an extremely productive tour so far. The biggest picture is always the World Cup in both white-ball formats. You don’t always have to win every series in order to win a World Cup.

“You continuously need to get better, need to be tested as a side, need to fail in order to learn. That involves losing, which isn’t fun but it is part of the journey.”

Moeen was sidelined for the Sri Lanka series in January after contracting coronavirus and he was rested for the final two Tests in India, briefly returning home, in expectation he would be integral to the white-ball plans.

Despite a frustrating time this winter, Morgan has been encouraged at how Moeen has handled himself, saying: “The little period Mo spent at home before this series has done him the world of good.

“He has come back refreshed and with plenty of energy. He is a very relaxed guy who always has a reasonable perspective on life and sport and the role that it plays within society. He is travelling really well.

“Anybody who is an all-rounder and makes the squad is extremely valuable to our side. I know he has not played but that’s been circumstantial. The pitches we played on just haven’t turned.”

Jofra Archer’s ongoing elbow trouble means the paceman misses this series.

Morgan was reluctant to put a timescale on Archer’s return, saying: “Only time will tell.”

While Morgan was keeping his cards close to his chest in terms of selection, Ben Stokes is likely to feature in his first ODI since his starring role in the 2019 World Cup final - helping England to an historic victory.

Support The Yorkshire Post and become a subscriber today. Your subscription will help us to continue to bring quality news to the people of Yorkshire. In return, you’ll see fewer ads on site, get free access to our app and receive exclusive members-only offers. Click HERE to subscribe.