Joe Root’s exceptional performance on the third day of the Manchester Test has firmly placed England in the driver’s seat. With a series of remarkable records and a commanding lead, Root dominated the day, steering England to a strong position.
England ended the third day at 544 for 7, leading India by 186 runs. Root, resuming his innings at 11 runs, went on to score a magnificent 150, marking his 38th Test century, which places him fourth in the list of most Test centuries. His career Test runs now stand at 13,409, making him the second-highest run-scorer in Test history, surpassing legends Rahul Dravid, Jacques Kallis, and Ricky Ponting. Only Sachin Tendulkar (15,921 runs) remains ahead of him.
Root matched Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara’s tally of 38 Test centuries, achieved in 134 Tests before Sangakkara’s retirement in 2015. Root’s innings included a near-150-run partnership (144) with Ollie Pope, who scored 71 off 128 balls before being dismissed by Washington Sundar. Sundar also removed Harry Brook shortly after, breaking another promising partnership.
Root then forged a 100-run partnership with Ben Stokes, completing his 12th Test century against India and his second consecutive century in the series in 178 balls. Stokes, battling cramps, reached a fifty in 97 balls but had to leave the field at 66. Root, after reaching 150, fell to Ravindra Jadeja, stumped.
India fought back late in the day, with Jasprit Bumrah dismissing Jamie Smith for a low score and Mohammed Siraj bowling out Chris Woakes. Stokes returned to bat and, alongside Liam Dawson, saw out the day. Stokes remains unbeaten on 77, with a century in sight, while Dawson is not out on 21.
With England’s substantial lead and wickets in hand, the fourth day promises more challenges for India as Root’s heroics continue to shape the Test.
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