The first game of the five-match series was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to heavy rainfall in Bristol on Monday, so both sides were left kicking their heels.
India are still licking their wounds from their capitulation in the recent Test series, which they lost 3-1 having led following their victory at Lord's in the second Test.
Root enjoyed a fruitful Test series and, although the England batsman knows facing India will be a different proposition in the 50-over format, he is determined to ensure the hosts carry on where they left off in the longest format of the game.
Former England spinner Graeme Swann stated that Alastair Cook's side have no chance of winning the World Cup next year, but Root believes they can silence their critics.
He said: "We're going to have to do well to beat them, but we're in a very good place at the moment.
"We want to make sure we start well in this series and take the momentum forward, we've got some good players and we'll be very hard to beat.
"We've prepared really well and it's exciting for us."
Alex Hales was forced to wait for his England ODI debut due to the rain on Monday, but, weather permitting, he will open the batting with Cook at Sophia Gardens.
And Root knows that the Nottinghamshire man is more than capable of making an impact.
"He's an explosive player, very exciting to watch and I'm looking forward to seeing him play," he said.
The appointment of Ravi Shastri as India team director for the ODI series raised eyebrows and led to questions being raised over coach Duncan Fletcher's position.
India captain MS Dhoni's comments that Fletcher "is still the boss" is reported to have angered the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), who also rested fielded coach Trevor Penney and bowling coach Joe Dawes.
The tourists will welcome the chance to let their cricket do the talking and they have fond memories of playing at Sophia Gardens, having won two ODIs at the ground en route to winning the ICC Champions Trophy last year.