Daijiworld Media Network - Ranchi
Ranchi, Jul 27: England’s star batter Joe Root etched his name in the history books on Day 3 of the fourth Test against India, climbing to second on the all-time run-scorers list in Test cricket. With a majestic 150-run knock in the first innings, Root leapfrogged greats like Rahul Dravid (13,288), Jacques Kallis (13,289), and Ricky Ponting (13,378), moving up from fifth to second.
The century marked Root’s 38th in the format, drawing him level with Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara. Only legends Ricky Ponting (41), Jacques Kallis (45), and Sachin Tendulkar (51) now stand ahead in terms of centuries.
An unusual moment occurred during Root’s innings when he accidentally struck Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj’s Whoop Band — a wearable health-monitoring device — with his bat while attempting a quick single after a missed flick shot. The incident unfolded in the 52nd over, adding a brief moment of levity amid the high-stakes clash.
Former England cricketer Jonathan Trott, speaking on JioHotstar, praised Root’s evolving approach to the game. “Joe Root's method is just so solid. He’s no longer experimenting with reverse scoops or ramp shots like during early Bazball days. He’s found balance.
When the opposition, like India today, don’t challenge him enough, he just grinds them down. It’s masterful batting,” Trott remarked.
India struggled to find answers as Root dug deep, underlining why he remains one of modern cricket’s finest red-ball batsmen.