Joe Root’s Remarkable Achievement in Test Cricket

England’s prominent batter, Joe Root, has once again demonstrated his exceptional prowess in Test cricket by setting a new world record. On the third day of the fourth Test against India at Old Trafford, Manchester, Root scored a sensational century, surpassing the legendary Australian cricketer Don Bradman. This achievement marks Root as the player with the most Test centuries against a single opponent in home Tests, having now scored nine centuries against India on home soil. Previously, Bradman held the record with eight centuries against England.

Climbing the Ranks of Test Cricket’s Elite

In addition to this milestone, Root has also surpassed Australian legend Ricky Ponting to become the second-highest run-scorer in the history of Test cricket. During the match, Root overtook Indian icon Rahul Dravid and South African great Jacques Kallis in a span of just eight balls. He then went past Ponting’s impressive tally of 13,378 runs by steering a single behind point, earning a standing ovation from the Old Trafford crowd. Ponting, who was commentating at the time alongside Ravi Shastri, congratulated Root on his achievement.

Root’s Journey and Future Prospects

Joe Root began his Test career with a promising 73-run debut during England’s 2012 tour of India in Nagpur. Now playing in his 157th Test match, Root continues to make significant strides in his career. His latest century at Old Trafford is his 38th in Test cricket, placing him fourth on the all-time list of centurions, alongside former Sri Lankan star Kumar Sangakkara. Only Sachin Tendulkar (51), Jacques Kallis (45), and Ricky Ponting (41) have more centuries than Root.

Celebrations and Acknowledgments

The moment was celebrated by teammates and fans alike. England captain Ben Stokes was quick to raise his bat in acknowledgment even before Root had removed his helmet to soak in the applause from both the crowd and fellow players. This achievement further cements Joe Root’s status as one of England’s greatest cricketers and sets a high benchmark for future generations.