India vs England | Joe Root's magnificent 150 helps him climb past legends, puts hosts in command

Manchester: Among all the major grounds in England, Old Trafford has a special place in Joe Root’s heart. The elegant former skipper may not have eight Test centuries like at Lord’s, but the iconic venue which hosted the first ever Ashes Test eons back in 1884 is like his backyard. Very few have excelled like him here despite the venue’s rich history; his average over 70 a testament to his fondness.

On a sun-kissed Friday and watched by a packed gathering, the 34-year-old took that excellence to a whole new level with a regal century (150, 248b) to not only put England in a completely commanding position — who went on to amass 544/7 and take a massive lead of 186 runs at stumps on day 3 of the fourth Test — but climb past legends in the records’ table to reaffirm his status as one of the greatest batters of all time.

Root struck his 38th Test ton to join Kumar Sangakkara on fourth spot in the century makers’ list, but very importantly, he surged past Australian legend Ricky Ponting (13378), who was on commentary when Root (13409) did so, in the all-time run makers’ list. Only Sachin Tendulkar, possibly the Greatest of All Time (GOAT), at 15921, is ahead of Root, now!

With the sun showing its face on the third morning for the first time in three days here and a pristine blue sky clear of any clouds, Root knew the day was tailor-made for him to make milestones. And he did so elegantly, like always, without hitting a ball in anger to torture and torment India for the umpteenth time. India must be hating the sight of Root with the Englishman scoring his ninth ton (12th overall) against the visitors at home — the most by a batter against an opponent in home Tests, surpassing Don Bradman’s eight against England.

At the start of the day, despite conditions being favourable for batting, it was all about caution for Root and his overnight partner Ollie Pope. The Indian pacers, who struggled for control on the second afternoon that saw England score at nearly six runs an over, bowled in the right channels, and Root and Pope focussed on getting through the opening hour without any damage. They defended strongly, ran the quick singles and dispatched the bad balls for boundaries to motor along smoothly. And when they took lunch at 332/2 and appearing on course for centuries, it looked they were determined to bat just once.

With the track not offering much help and the bowling lacking bite, skipper Shubman Gill looked a forlorn figure and the team totally flat. Washington Sundar, however, offered some hope with twin strikes right after lunch. The off-spinner, who caused magic on a benign surface at Lord’s, did again, his cunning drift accounting for Pope (71) and Harry Brook as England slipped to 349/4. India sensed an opening but Root shut it out along with skipper Ben Stokes (77 batting) as Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Sirah struggled with niggles right after taking the new ball.

Shardul Thakur and debutante Anshul Kamboj couldn’t really maintain any sort of pressure with erratic lines and lengths, and Root and Stokes just feasted on it. Root, by then seeing the ball like a football, started playing his shots while Stokes took his time to settle down to collectively punish India. Stokes struggled with cramps in the final session, but it was India who felt the stinging pain of Root’s willow-wielding. India, trailing 1-2, will have to bat out of their skins to save this game and avoid a series defeat.

SCOREBOARD

INDIA (I Innings): 358

ENGLAND (I Innings, O/n: 225/2):

Crawley c Rahul b Jadeja 84

(113b, 13x4, 1x6))

Duckett c sub b Kamboj 94

(100b, 13x4)

Pope c Rahul b Sundar 71

(128b, 7x4)

Root st Jurel b Jadeja 150

(248b, 14x4)

Brook st sub b Sundar 3

(12b)

Stokes (batting) 77

(134b, 6x4)

Smith c sub b Bumrah 9

(19b, 1x4)

Dawson (batting) 21

(52b, 2x4)

Woakes b Siraj 4

(17b)

Extras (B-4, LB-14, NB-13) 31

TOTAL (for 7 wkts, 135 overs) 544

Fall of wickets: 1-166 (Crawley), 2-197 (Duckett), 3-341 (Pope), 4-349 (Brook), 4-491 (Stokes, retd hurt not out), 5-499 (Root), 6-515 (Smith), 7-528 (Woakes).

Bowling: Bumrah 28-5-95-1 (nb-5), Kamboj 18-1-89-1 (nb-4), Siraj 26-4-113-1, Thakur 11-0-55-0 (nb-1), Jadeja 33-0-117-2 (nb-3), Sundar 19-4-57-2.