Manchester, July 25 (UNI) Joe Root produced a masterful century as England reached a commanding 433 for 4 in response to India’s first-innings 358, tightening their grip on the match at Old Trafford here today. Root is batting on 121, with Ben Stokes giving him solid company on 36 at Tea.
Resuming Day 3 on 225 for 2, England steadily built their innings through the third wicket stand between Root and Ollie Pope. The duo frustrated the Indian bowlers, completing their 50-run partnership in 97 balls and then converting it into a century stand off 172 deliveries.
Root survived a nervy moment early in the day when a risky single nearly resulted in a run-out at 54 overs. Jadeja had the opportunity but missed the direct hit. A few overs later, India unsuccessfully reviewed an LBW decision against Root, only for replays to show it was sliding down leg, resulting in a lost review.
Root was at his vintage best throughout the day, blending grit and flair. He reached his Test half-century with a reverse sweep, raising his bat to a chorus of “Roooooot” from the spectators. He accelerated with elegance, piercing the off-side with late cuts, reverse sweeps, and classical drives.
Root reached his 38th Test century in style with a gentle glance off Anshul Kamboj to the fine leg fence. The celebration was understated yet emotional – helmet off, bat raised, soaking in the applause as fans stood to salute England’s modern-day great. It was a knock defined by patience, precision, and poise, weathering tricky passages, including a spell where odd deliveries kept low and one where he escaped a run-out.
Ollie Pope, too, was impressive. He brought up his 16th Test fifty and later reached 71 before falling to Washington Sundar, whose late introduction proved timely. Sundar then dismissed Harry Brook with a drifting beauty, leaving India with a faint opening.
England’s 300 came up in the 67th over, and the 350 was not far behind. The second new ball was taken at 90.3 overs but failed to make significant inroads. Stokes joined Root and took the attack to the bowlers, smashing a boundary down the ground and glancing another fine, raising the 50-run partnership for the fifth wicket.
England crossed the 400-run mark in the 93rd over and went into Tea at 433 for 4, with Root nearing 150 and Stokes looking comfortable. Root continued to score with ease, picking boundaries at will, including a wristy flick through midwicket (98.1) that summed up his complete dominance.
India’s bowling efforts were spirited in patches but lacked consistency. With Root set and England ahead, post-Tea session promises a stiff challenge for the visitors.
