IND vs ENG: Unstoppable Joe Root Hits 11th Test Hundred vs India
Joe Root scores 104 at Lord’s to equal Steve Smith’s record of 11 Test centuries against India.
Joe Root has etched his name into the record books once again. The former England captain slammed his 11th Test century against India, becoming the joint-highest century scorer against the Men in Blue in Test cricket. He now shares this record with Australia’s Steve Smith.
Root gets to three figures in style
Root, who ended Day 1 of the third Test unbeaten on 99, wasted no time on the second morning at Lord’s. He reached his hundred on the very first ball, flicking a wide delivery from Jasprit Bumrah to the boundary. With that, Root brought up his 37th Test ton and equaled Smith’s tally of 11 centuries against India.
The innings was a classic Root masterclass – calm, composed, and well-paced. He had earlier stitched together a solid stand with Ollie Pope and later steadied the innings with captain Ben Stokes after a mini-collapse in the middle session of Day 1.
Most Test hundreds vs India
- Joe Root – 11
- Steve Smith – 11
- Ricky Ponting – 8
- Sir Viv Richards – 8
- Gary Sobers – 8
Root’s latest milestone adds to his reputation as one of the finest Test batters of this era. His consistency against India, both home and away, has made him a thorn in their side for years now.
Bumrah ends Root’s gritty knock
Root’s innings came to an end soon after he reached his century. Jasprit Bumrah, who had been England’s main headache with the ball throughout the series, got his revenge early in the second session by dismissing Root for 104. It was a big wicket for India as the visitors looked to fight back into the game.
At the time of writing, England are 292 for 7 after 90 overs, with the lower order now facing India’s relentless pace and spin attack.
