England in Complete Control as Joe Root's Historic Century Builds a Match-Winning Lead
Published By : Satya Mohapatra
| July 26, 2025 5:27 AM
Root's Historic 150 Puts England in Command
Joe Root authored a historic and masterful innings of 150 to put England in complete control of the fourth Test. His performance not only established personal milestones but also built a massive lead of 186 runs, leaving India with a monumental task to save the match. By the close of play, England had reached 544 for 7, all but securing a series victory.
It was a day where Root methodically rewrote the record books. During his flawless innings, he surpassed legends like Rahul Dravid, Jacques Kallis, and Ricky Ponting to become the second-highest run-scorer in Test cricket history, now behind only Sachin Tendulkar. His 38th Test century was also his 12th against India, the most by any player. The sellout Manchester crowd witnessed a true masterclass from England's greatest batter.
Dominant Partnerships Build a Fortress
England's dominance was built on the back of significant partnerships. Root first added 144 runs with Ollie Pope (71), who registered a composed half-century. After Pope's dismissal, Root was joined by his captain, Ben Stokes. The pair added another 142 runs, with Stokes contributing a gritty 77 not out despite briefly retiring hurt with cramp. These stands systematically wore down the Indian attack.
Toil for India
For India, it was a day of fruitless toil with very few bright spots. While Washington Sundar picked up two quick wickets after lunch, the bowlers largely struggled to make an inroads on a deteriorating pitch. Their problems were worsened by minor injuries to both Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. The only real positive for the visitors was the tidy work of stand-in wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel, who was involved in four dismissals. With a huge deficit to overcome, India now faces the grim prospect of an innings defeat.
