'It was like you were eating the air' - Joe Root opens up about challenging playing conditions during ENG vs SA clash in Mumbai

Star England batter Joe Root has opened up about some fascinating details during his side's ODI World Cup clash against South Africa at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Speaking of the game, England was bowled out for 170 in just 22 overs after being hammered for 399 runs. They suffered a humiliating 229-run defeat, which marked their biggest defeat in the ODI format in terms of margin.

Root mentioned about the intense heat and humidity that the players from South Africa and England had to deal with during the game. 

“I’ve not played in anything like that before. I’ve obviously played in hotter conditions, and probably more humid conditions. But it just felt like you couldn’t get your breath. It was like you were eating the air. It was unique. You could see it with [Heinrich] Klaasen. You could see how much it took out of him, not being able to get back out onto the field," Joe Root was quoted as saying by My Khel.

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Joe Root went on to discuss "some of the noises" that Adil Rashid made while he was bowling, claiming that the spinner was having trouble breathing. The 32-year-old continued by saying that as soon as the players decided to field, their jerseys were completely drenched. He went on to say that Rashid appeared to have a really tough time bowling during the game as he was praising his superb bowling performance.

“I mean you couldn’t get away from it. You walk out onto the field and your shirt’s soaking wet, and you have a lot heavier breath than you would do, and you know you’ve done your fitness and stuff, it’s not like you’re short on that. So you are very aware of it.

“Rash [Rashid], bless him, I don’t think was great going into the game. He put in a brilliant performance for us. Some of the noises he was making when he was walking back to his mark summed it up, really. Trying to get his breath back. It was tough, but that’s the sort of stuff that you come up against and contend with when you come out to play in India at this time of year," he added.