Joe Root Breaks Records Against India in Fourth Test

Joe Root Sets New Milestones Against India

Joe Root, the top-ranked Test batter globally and a celebrated figure in English cricket, continues to excel against India, recently surpassing Steve Smith's record for the most centuries against the Indian team. With this achievement, Root has now accumulated a total of 12 centuries against India.

This remarkable feat was accomplished during the fourth Test match held at Old Trafford on Friday. Root has now recorded nine Test centuries on home soil against India, setting a new record for the most centuries by any player against a single opponent in home Tests, overtaking the legendary Don Bradman, who had eight centuries against England.

This century marks Root's 23rd Test hundred in England, tying him with Ricky Ponting, Jacques Kallis, and Mahela Jayawardene for the most centuries in home Tests.

Root Climbs to Second Place in All-Time Test Run-Scorers

In addition to his century, Root has surpassed former Australian captain Ricky Ponting to claim the position of the second-highest run-scorer in Test cricket history. Ponting amassed 13,378 runs over 168 Tests, averaging 51.85 with 41 centuries and 62 fifties, with a top score of 257. He has now been relegated to third place in the all-time rankings.

Root, having played 157 Tests, has scored 13,380 runs in 286 innings, maintaining an average of 51.26, with 38 centuries and 66 fifties. His highest score stands at 262. He has now matched Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara with 38 centuries, placing him fourth in the all-time list, trailing only behind Ponting (41), Jacques Kallis (45), and Sachin Tendulkar (51).

Root and Stokes Dominate Indian Bowlers

In the ongoing match, the partnership between Root and Ben Stokes has proven challenging for the Indian bowlers. Together, they added 84 runs off 131 balls before tea, with England reaching 433/4, leading by 75 runs. At that point, Root was unbeaten on 121, while Stokes remained not out at 36. England commenced the second session at 332/2, with Pope (70*) and Root (63*) still at the crease, trailing by 26 runs.