Table of Contents
On Day 1 of the third Test between England and India at Lord’s, England batting stalwart Joe Root added another chapter to his remarkable legacy in the longest format of the game. Known for his scintillating batting skills and consistency, Root became the first-ever batter to achieve an historic feat against India.
Joe Root becomes first batter to register rare Test feat vs India
Root scripted history by becoming the first batter ever to amass 3,000 Test runs against India—a milestone that speaks volumes about his enduring class and dominance over one of the world’s most formidable bowling attacks. The landmark moment arrived in the afternoon session, as Root elegantly steered a delivery to the boundary, drawing applause from his teammates and the appreciative Lord’s crowd. This achievement is not just a reflection of Root’s technical brilliance but also his remarkable consistency over the years. Since making his debut against India in 2012, Root has often been the difference-maker in high-stakes encounters, both at home and on Indian soil. His ability to adapt to varying conditions, counter both spin and pace, and deliver under pressure has made him a perennial thorn in India’s Test setup.
Here’s the list of top 5 batters with most Test runs against India:
| Player | Team | Matches | Runs | 100/50 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joe Root | England | 33* | 3001* | 10/12 |
| Ricky Ponting | Australia | 29 | 2555 | 8/12 |
| Alastair Cook | England | 30 | 2431 | 7/9 |
| Steve Smith | Australia | 24 | 2356 | 11/5 |
| Clive Lloyd | West Indies | 28 | 2344 | 7/12 |
Also RWATCH: Shubman Gill drops Telugu one-liner after Nitish Kumar Reddy’s fiery bouncer rattles Joe Root on Day 1 of Lord’s Test
Root brings up a composed half century on Day 1 of Lord’s Test
On the first day of the third Test, Root came out to bat at number four after both English openers, Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, were dismissed in the same over by Nitish Kumar Reddy. Root showed excellent composure, stitching together a 109-run partnership with Ollie Pope. Playing cautiously, he focused on blunting the Indian pace attack while stabilizing the innings. He brought up his half-century in the second session, drawing applause from the Lord’s crowd for his patient and controlled knock. By tea on Day 1, Root was unbeaten on 54, laced with seven gritty boundaries. With the surface offering movement and bounce, the responsibility now lies on Root to anchor the innings further and guide England to a competitive total.
