No complacency or arrogance, be realistic, says Joe Root

In a thoroughly dominant display, England's bowlers bundled India for a paltry 130 on the fourth day of the second Test to seal victory by an innings and 159 runs. The sheer margin of victory has already started spurring murmurs of a potential whitewash, but Root isn't about to get ahead carried away.

“Obviously, that would be the dream – to put in five complete performances and have five wins,” said Root. “But it's important we don't get complacent, arrogant, or look too far ahead.

“We're playing against the No.1 side in the world, with some very talented players, and we have to make sure we keep looking to learn and develop.”

Despite the quality England have displayed in the first two Tests, Root reckons that his side has the capacity to be much better, and is hoping that they can demonstrate those qualities again come the third Test in Nottingham, starting 18 August.

“We're not the finished article – we've got a long way to go to where we want to get to. We're going to have to start again and work extremely hard over the next five days to win the next game,” he said.

“Of course, it's a great position to be in - 2-0 up with three to go, going into Nottingham, which is a great place for us to play. But we've really got to make sure we are realistic about things. Enjoy the position we're in, and when we get our opportunities, really try to put India under pressure and drive the game forward, but not get ahead of ourselves.”

In the lead-up to the second Test, a lot of talk centred on the absence of Ben Stokes – busy with his trial on charges of affray – and how it might leave a void in the side. But Chris Woakes came in and wreaked havoc, scoring his maiden Test century in difficult conditions and also chipping in with four wickets.

“Ben is obviously a huge part of this squad, so it's a miss him not being here this week. But what it did do was create an opportunity for Chris to come in and perform – and boy, he didn't disappoint did he? He was outstanding,” gushed Root.

“He's a big part of our squad, all three formats. It's been a frustrating summer for him, he's been injured for a long part of it, and to get an opportunity to come in this week – the easy thing to do is get anxious, try a bit too hard, but he settled in magnificently well with that first spell in particular, then took that confidence into his batting, that partnership changed the game, turned it on its head, and got us miles ahead on that surface. It's a great headache to have for us, going into next week.

“It's nice to see guys really taking opportunities, and that's something we really want to harness as an example to the guys in and around the squad – when you get your chance, make it as hard as possible to leave you out.”

India will certainly like to believe that England can’t get any better, but Root reiterated that the hosts were yet to put out their very best performance.

“We haven't played the perfect performance yet, and that's something we've got to keep striving towards, regardless of what Team India have at Trent Bridge,” said Root. “We've got a place we want to get to as a side, and we have to continue to work hard to get there. It's important we enjoy this win then we spend next couple of days getting good preparation into that third Test.”