Joe Root delivered a batting masterclass, scoring a sublime 150 to put England in complete control on Day 3 of the fourth Test against India at Old Trafford. Supported by captain Ben Stokes (77*), Root led England to 544/7 in 135 overs, giving the hosts a formidable 186-run lead in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy clash.
Root’s innings, his 38th Test century, propelled him past Rahul Dravid, Jacques Kallis, and Ricky Ponting to become the second-highest run-scorer in Test history, only behind Sachin Tendulkar.
Root’s innings, his 38th Test century, propelled him past Rahul Dravid, Jacques Kallis, and Ricky Ponting to become the second-highest run-scorer in Test history, only behind Sachin Tendulkar.
“We’re working towards the T20 World Cup, but one thing made clear by the coach is we take it one series at a time,” Root had said earlier in the series. On Friday, he simply let the bat do the talking.
Pope, Stokes Support as England Pile On
Resuming on 225/2, England added 319 runs for five wickets. Root shared a 144-run stand with Ollie Pope (71), who notched up his 16th Test fifty. After Pope and Harry Brook departed, Stokes joined Root in a 94-run partnership that frustrated a weary Indian attack.
Stokes, who left the field with cramps earlier, returned to post his highest score of the series and was unbeaten on 77 alongside Liam Dawson (21*). His return lifted the mood in the England camp.
Root’s 150 came in style, with strokes all around the ground. He reached his hundred off 178 balls, his 16th Test score of 150 or more. His knock ended when Ravindra Jadeja spun one past his outside edge and had him stumped.
Morkel: “Better than yesterday, but not ideal”
India’s bowlers toiled with little success. Jasprit Bumrah, despite a brief injury scare, bowled with intensity and claimed his 50th Test wicket in England, while Jadeja and Washington Sundar took two wickets each.
Bowling coach Morne Morkel admitted the attack had lacked discipline earlier in the match.
It was much better today with the ball. Yesterday was tough. We missed our lines and lengths. But this morning Bumrah and Siraj responded well. Holding lines was key, and we were better in that aspect.
However, India’s backup options—Anshul Kamboj and Shardul Thakur—combined for just 29 overs and were largely ineffective.
“Managing workload is a challenge. Coming straight off the IPL into a five-Test series isn’t easy, especially on flatter tracks,” added Morkel.
India's Injury Concerns and Ineffective Support Cast
Both Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj left the field during sessions due to ankle niggles, adding to India’s headaches. Although Bumrah returned to strike immediately, the overall bowling effort looked toothless, allowing England to post their first 500-plus total against India since 2021.
Root Joins Cricketing Elite
With this knock, Root moved past Ponting and Dravid to reach 13,529 Test runs, trailing only Tendulkar (15,921). He also drew level with Kumar Sangakkara on 38 Test centuries. Only Tendulkar (51), Kallis (45), and Ponting (41) are ahead in that category.
“There’s calm, control, and complete awareness in his batting right now. It’s vintage Root,” tweeted former captain Michael Vaughan.
Brief Scores: India 358 trail England 544/7 in 135 overs (Joe Root 150, Ben Duckett 94, Ollie Pope 71, Ben Stokes 77*; Washington Sundar 2-57, Ravindra Jadeja 2-117) by 186 runs
