The 4th Test between England and India at Manchester has delivered drama, milestones, and dominant individual brilliance. England, looking to extend their 2-1 series lead, hosted India at Old Trafford from July 23, 2025, with both teams itching to gain the upper hand deep into the English summer.
Joe Root rises above Ricky Ponting achieving a massive feat in Test cricket
Day 3 at Old Trafford witnessed history as Joe Root etched his name above Australian legend Ricky Ponting to become the second-highest run-scorer in Test cricket—a moment that triggered raucous applause and the familiar “Roooooooooot” reverberating from the stands. Steering a delivery from young Anshul Kamboj behind point for a run, Root moved past Ponting’s career tally of 13,378 Test runs. Only Sachin Tendulkar, with his towering 15,921 runs, now stands above the Yorkshireman in Test cricket’s all-time annals.
Root’s Manchester innings was another masterclass in composure and resilience. Starting the day needing just over a hundred runs to eclipse Ponting, he built with patience, eventually reaching his 38th Test century—matching Kumar Sangakkara’s tally for fourth-most Test hundreds. This knock was not just statistically significant; it further cemented Root’s status as the pre-eminent Test batter of his generation, and his consistency in the longest format continues to draw admiration from peers, including Ponting himself.
Also WATCH: KL Rahul grabs a sharp catch to dismiss Ollie Pope on Day 3 of the fourth Test
Joe Root and company bat India slightly out of the contest
Root’s record-breaking marathon was the backbone of an imposing English response to India’s first-innings 358. Key to England’s dominance was the blistering 166-run opening partnership between Zak Crawley (84) and Ben Duckett (94), which immediately put the Indian attack on the backfoot. Ollie Pope’s composed 71 complemented the foundation, but it was Root’s assured hundred and unbroken stand with Stokes (36*) that seized control.
By tea on Day 3, England sat at 433/4 after 102 overs, leading by 75 runs, with Root unbeaten on 121. India, despite spirited half-centuries from their top order and a brave fifty from an injured Rishabh Pant in the first innings, struggled for breakthroughs as the pitch eased under the Manchester sun. Only Washington Sundar offered resistance with two wickets, but apart from that, Indian bowlers found little reward for their toil.
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