Manchester, July 25, 2025 – Joe Root produced a masterclass in batting to steer England into a dominant position against India on Day 3 of the fourth Test at Old Trafford, Manchester. His spectacular 150-run knock not only laid the foundation for a commanding 186-run lead but also placed him second on the list of all-time Test run scorers—just behind India’s cricket legend, Sachin Tendulkar.
England resumed the day at 225/2, with Root and Ollie Pope taking guard. Despite India’s disciplined bowling early on—particularly from Jasprit Bumrah—England’s batters remained composed and eventually took control. Pope struck a solid 71 before being undone by Washington Sundar, while Root anchored the innings with poise and precision.
India did manage to grab a few wickets in the middle session, including Harry Brook, but England’s dominance continued as Root, alongside captain Ben Stokes, rebuilt the innings and maintained scoring momentum. By lunch, England had narrowed India’s first-innings lead to just 26 runs with eight wickets still in hand.
The second session belonged entirely to England, with Root reaching multiple personal milestones. Not only did he complete his 38th Test century—matching Kumar Sangakkara’s tally—but he also crossed the 1,000-run mark at Old Trafford. More significantly, Root leapfrogged cricketing greats like Rahul Dravid, Jacques Kallis, and Ricky Ponting to become the second-highest run-getter in Test history. Only India’s Tendulkar remains ahead with 15,291 runs.
Ben Stokes provided crucial support, finishing the day unbeaten on 77. His all-round performance in the match—having also taken five wickets in India’s first innings—has proven instrumental in England’s resurgence.
India now faces an uphill task heading into Day 4. With England enjoying a hefty lead and momentum on their side, India’s bowlers will need early breakthroughs to claw back into the contest. The pressure is equally on India’s batters, who must brace for a challenging fourth-innings chase on a surface expected to deteriorate.
With Root leading from the front, England has seized control of the Manchester Test. The clash continues to live up to its billing, as England and India battle for supremacy in a fiercely contested series.