‘Couldn’t breathe, it was like eating air’

England star Joe Root has said that England team struggled to breathe properly during their loss to South Africa on Saturday at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. England suffered their biggest loss in ODI World Cup history, losing by 229 runs.

South Africa batters smashed England bowlers around the park in posting 399 before England were skittled out for just 170 in 22 overs.  Root talked to reporters at a press conference in Bengaluru where he relayed England's difficulty 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," Root was quoted as saying by Independent.co.uk.

Heinrich Klassen hit a 67-ball 109 in soaring temperatures reaching 35C in Mumbai during the game and the batter did not come out to field later.

"You could see it with Klaasen. You could see how much it took out of him, not being able to get back out onto the field," said Root.

"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," he added.

According to reports, air quality levels in Mumbai now regularly overshoot those in Delhi – infamous for having some of the poorest air quality indices recorded worldwide. Bangladesh yesterday also played at the venue, losing to South Africa by 149 runs despite a gritty Mahmudullah Riyad ton reducing the margin of defeat.