England’s batting maestro Joe Root continued his incredible run in Test cricket by scoring a brilliant century on Day 3 of the fourth Test against India at Old Trafford, Manchester. The century was his 38th in the red-ball format and saw him break multiple records, further cementing his place among the game’s greats.
By hitting this ton, Root set a new world record for most Test centuries against an opponent in home conditions. He now has nine centuries against India on English soil, overtaking the legendary Don Bradman’s tally of eight hundreds against England in Australia.
Root also achieved another major feat by surpassing former Australian captain Ricky Ponting to become the second-highest run-getter in Test cricket history. Root moved past Rahul Dravid, Jacques Kallis, and then Ponting, whose 13,378-run record was eclipsed as Root guided the ball behind point for a single, receiving a rousing standing ovation from the Manchester crowd.
Ponting, who was on commentary alongside Ravi Shastri, applauded Root’s achievement. “Congrats, Joe Root. Magnificent,” said the Australian great.
Root now stands behind only Sachin Tendulkar, who tops the all-time run chart with 15,921 Test runs. The 34-year-old Root, playing his 157th Test, made his debut back in 2012 against India in Nagpur and has since been a consistent force in England’s batting lineup.
This century was also Root’s 12th against India overall, making him the most prolific centurion against the Asian powerhouse. He had earlier equaled Steve Smith’s 11 hundreds against India during the third Test at Lord’s.
Root is now tied with Kumar Sangakkara at fourth on the all-time century list, trailing Tendulkar (51), Kallis (45), and Ponting (41). His record-breaking spree continues to redefine consistency and class in modern-day Test cricket.