Captain Cook is England’s trump card

since in India and will have noted New Zealand’s revitalised performances in that form of the game.

England travelled to India for their second one-day series in the space of 14 months with hope, but not great expectations, at least from outside the tour party.

The grim statistics of their recent visits – a single win from 16 matches – haunted them and commentator Michael Vaughan summed up the general pessimism when he said that anything other than a whitewash would represent success.

They achieved that modest goal with victory in the first game of the series. But normal service has resumed, with a fourth straight series defeat amending England’s one-day record in India to two wins out of 21.

Root’s promotion to the full squad for the one-dayers confirms he has thrust himself into contention for a place in the Champions Trophy this summer.

The young Yorkshireman is having a season he might want to remember when the long international career that now seems likely hits its inevitable troughs.

He had to be patient on the test tour before Christmas but after being called up for the last match of the series and making a crucial 73 from No 6 in the first innings, he has taken India in his stride.

He made his T20 international debut in the second game that England won, was trusted to bowl nine overs of off-spin in the triumph in Rajkot, and has batted skilfully and intelligently in each of the past three defeats.

He faced more balls than anyone in making 36 from 50 in Kochi and 39 from 57 in Ranchi, then added an unbeaten 57 from 45 deliveries in Mohali.

Root’s Yorkshire team- mate, Tim Bresnan, has been replaced in both the one- day and test squads by Warwickshire allrounder Chris Woakes.

Following injury, fast bowler Stuart Broad is set to rejoin England for all three forms of the game.