India, Sept. 8 -- Joe Root has backed Kevin Pietersen to make a major impact in his new role with England's white-ball teams, revealing how he himself once "shadowed" the former batter during his first tour of India and sought his advice on playing spin.

Pietersen was recently appointed as a specialist mentor for England's men's white-ball sides, marking a notable return to the national setup more than a decade after his international career ended amid a breakdown in his relationship with the England hierarchy. His role will involve working closely with players, particularly batters, as England build towards the 2027 ODI World Cup. For Root, however, Pietersen's ability to mentor younger players is nothing new. The England great recalled...