England’s star batter Joe Root delivered yet another masterclass on Day 3 of the fourth Test against India at Old Trafford, scoring a magnificent 150 and climbing to second on the list of all-time leading Test run-scorers. Former England player Jonathan Trott was full of praise for Root’s ability to consistently evolve, describing him as a player “mastering his craft with every knock.”
Coming in after a dominant opening stand, Root showcased his signature style — calm, composed, and unshakable under pressure. His innings, spread across two days, saw him surpass cricket legends Rahul Dravid (13,288), Jacques Kallis (13,289), and Ricky Ponting (13,378) to become the second-highest run-getter in Test cricket history.
“Root’s Game Has Reached a New Level” – Trott
Jonathan Trott, speaking on JioHotstar, praised Root’s ability to balance aggression with traditional technique, noting how Root has refined his approach since the early days of England’s ‘Bazball’ era.
“Joe Root’s method is just so solid — you don’t see him shift gears dramatically. He experimented a bit early in Bazball, but now he plays to his strengths,” said Trott.
“He’s forcing opponents to deliver something special to get him out — and India couldn’t manage that today.”
This innings marked Root’s 38th Test hundred, drawing him level with Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara. Only Ricky Ponting (41), Jacques Kallis (45), and Sachin Tendulkar (51) remain ahead in terms of centuries.
India Face Pressure Despite Root’s Record-Breaker
Despite trailing England by 186 runs, India still believes there’s a result to be had. Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar dismissed thoughts of playing for a draw, saying that India will aim to hit back hard when they get the chance.
“India won’t be thinking of a draw — they’ll be hoping the sun stays out so they can score quickly and apply pressure,” Manjrekar commented.
“With uneven bounce starting to appear, bowlers like Jofra Archer and Liam Dawson could play key roles.”
Manjrekar also mentioned that England might have to lean heavily on Ben Stokes to bowl long spells, especially with Woakes potentially less effective on this surface. Archer’s pace and Dawson’s control could become deciding factors as the game progresses.
As the Test enters a crucial phase, Joe Root’s brilliance has set the tone for England — but India, despite the deficit, isn’t out of the contest just yet.
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