Explaining how the Indian off-spinner, who will be playing in his 100th Test in Dharamsala, operates, Root said: "He uses creases differently from traditional off-spinners. He uses over-spin, side-spin, can get really tight to the stumps, can go wider and he has got the carrom ball, you know, a lot of different tricks.

"So, you will have to be really wary of different threats that he poses and make sure that you have very good skill sets to counter (him) and be on top of him.

"Ashwin is making sure that you don't play the previous ball. He is very good at trying to drag you across the crease and get your head to one side of it and beat both edges quite frequently."

Ashwin recently became only the second Indian after Anil Kumble to take 500 wickets in Tests.

Root said Ashwin poses different threats while bowling with new and old balls. "There are different things to contend with because of his seam position and how cleverly