Leeds - Eoin Morgan was glad to see the return of the
"Joe Root we know and trust" as his second successive unbeaten
hundred helped England clinch the one-day international series against India.
But the England captain was bemused by the star batsman's
"mic-drop" celebration as he scored the winnings runs on Tuesday.
England beat India by eight wickets at Root's Headingley
home ground to complete a come-from-behind 2-1 series win.
"The composure he's shown, particularly in the last two
games, is the Joe Root we know and trust," said Morgan.
"He's been outstanding even when he's been low on runs
- around the group he's been the same guy, hungry for runs, hopefully that
continues for the rest of the summer."
Root's Yorkshire colleagues David Willey and Adil Rashid
took three wickets apiece as the tourists were restricted to 256 for eight.
Root (100 not out) and Morgan (88 not out) shared an
unbroken third-wicket stand of 186 as England won with 33 balls to spare.
Test skipper Root hit the winning boundary to reach three
figures and end India's run of nine straight bilateral ODI series wins.
It was an impressive display by England, who top the ODI
rankings with India second, especially as they had lost by eight wickets in the
series opener at Trent Bridge last week.
"We started poorly (but) as the series has gone on we
have improved," Morgan said.
"It is a benefit of playing a bilateral series. You
play against the same team over and over again, it can present different
challenges - that constant improvement has been brilliant since Trent Bridge.
"Today I thought it was clinical, right from the
get-go."
Root had helped spark the recovery with an unbeaten 113 in
an 86-run win in the second ODI at Lord's on Saturday, after being dropped from
the final match of the preceding 2-1 Twenty20 series loss to India.
It was a reminder that although he may not be the biggest
hitter, there is still a place for Root's stylish, more traditional, approach
in the white-ball game, with his 13th hundred putting him ahead of Marcus Trescothick
as England's leading ODI century-maker.
Just about the only jarring note of Root's innings was when
he dropped his bat deliberately after reaching three figures, a gesture more
associated with rock stars and stand-up comedians.
"He caught me off guard completely. He's made a fool of
himself!" joked Morgan.
Root was named man-of-the-series but the man-of-the-match
award went to county colleague Rashid after the leg-spinner took three wickets
for 49 runs in his 10 overs.
Rashid claimed the prize scalp of India captain Virat Kohli
for 71 with a classic delivery that pitched on leg and turned sharply to hit
off stump.
A stunned Kohli was left staring the pitch in disbelief
before beginning a slow walk back into the pavilion.
"It's definitely the most satisfying wicket I've
taken," Rashid said.
"Virat Kohli is one of the best players in the
world."
Having whitewashed a weakened Australia 5-0 last month, the
manner of victory in Tuesday's winner-takes-all clash would have further
encouraged England, who will look to win the World Cup for the first time next
year as hosts.
"They are obviously favourites because its their home
conditions," India paceman Shardul Thakur said.
"England know better how to play cricket here, so other
teams have a big challenge to play here."