Manchester, July 25, 2025: England’s batting maestro Joe Root etched his name deeper into the annals of cricket history with a sublime unbeaten century on Day 3 of the fourth Test against India at Old Trafford, breaking several long-standing records in the process.
Root scored a masterful 120 not out, guiding England in response to India’s first-innings total of 358. During his innings, the 34-year-old surpassed Ricky Ponting to become the second-highest run-scorer in the history of Test cricket, now standing at 13,381 runs, behind only India’s Sachin Tendulkar, who remains at the top with 15,921 runs.
Entering the crease in the 39th over with England well poised at 197/2, Root steadied the innings with trademark calm and precision. After seeing off Day 2 unbeaten, he resumed his brilliance on Day 3, navigating England into a dominant position.
During his innings, Root eclipsed several cricketing legends in quick succession:
- In the 57th and 58th overs, he overtook Rahul Dravid (13,288) and Jacques Kallis (13,289)
- In the 101st over, he finally edged past Ponting (13,378) to claim second place on the all-time Test run scorers list.
All-time leading test run-scorers
| Player | Country | Runs |
| Sachin Tendulkar | India | 15,921 |
| Joe Root | England | 13,381* |
| Ricky Ponting | Australia | 13,378 |
| Jacques Kallis | South Africa | 13,289 |
| Rahul Dravid | India | 13,288 |
Root’s century — his second of the series and 38th overall in Tests — also saw him draw level with Kumar Sangakkara on the list of most Test hundreds. He now trails only Ponting (41), Kallis (45), and Tendulkar (51) in that elite club.
In another personal milestone, Root crossed 1,000 Test runs at Old Trafford, reinforcing his status as one of England’s greatest-ever batters and further solidifying his love affair with the Manchester venue. England ended Day 3 in a commanding position, thanks in large part to Root’s brilliance — both historical and tactical.
