Joe Root has once again reminded the cricketing world of his class, crafting a sublime century at Manchester that has firmly cemented his place among the all-time greats like Sachin Tendulkar. In the process, he overtook greats like Rahul Dravid, Kallis and Ponting to move to second spot on the list of batsmen with most test runs.
Root’s innings was a blend of technical mastery and mental resilience, as he countered the moving ball with soft hands while capitalising on scoring opportunities with fluent drives and delicate nudges. His century at Old Trafford is not just another number in his growing list of achievements but a testament to his longevity, adaptability, and hunger for runs in all conditions.
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Another Joe Root Masterclass
Joe Root delivered a batting masterclass at Manchester, reminding everyone why he remains the heartbeat of England’s Test batting. With the ball moving under grey skies, Root combined patience with precision, crafting a brilliant century that anchored England’s innings.
His innings was a lesson in shot selection and temperament. Root’s footwork was assured, his defence tight, and his drives effortless as he countered both pace and spin with calm authority. Whether it was the late cut past slip or the checked drive down the ground, every shot reflected a player in complete control.
More than just the runs, it was the context that made this knock special. England needed stability, and Root provided it with quiet determination, absorbing pressure before accelerating seamlessly. His ability to read the conditions and adapt his scoring areas underlined his class, reminding everyone why he belongs among the modern greats.
Major milestones achieved by Joe Root at Manchester
- This marked his 12th against India – the highest by any batter versus them. Root surpassed former Australia captain Steve Smith, who was the previous leader of the chart with 11 centuries.
- This was Root’s ninth century against India in home Tests, making it the highest by any batter facing an opponent in home games. Bradman formerly held the record with eight hundreds against England.
- This marked Root’s 23rd Test century in England, tying the record for the most by any player in home Tests. It places him among Ricky Ponting, Jacques Kallis, and Mahela Jayawardene.
- Earlier, Root surpassed Rahul Dravid, Kallis, and Ricky Ponting to ascend to the second position in the list of batsmen with most test runs. He trails only Sachin Tendulkar now.
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From Fab 4 to The Finest
For years, Joe Root was part of cricket’s celebrated “Fab Four,” alongside Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, and Kane Williamson. Today, after his Manchester masterclass, Root has moved from being just one among equals to standing as the finest Test batter of his generation.
In an era of aggressive batting, Root has shown the value of patience, composure, and timing, proving that classical batting can thrive in modern cricket. His numbers are elite, but it is his adaptability and relentless consistency that truly make him stand out.
With yet another majestic knock, Root has moved into the elite group of batters who have defined eras, standing alongside the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, Rahul Dravid and Jacques Kallis in terms of consistency and impact across formats.
