Joe Root’s fame grew on Friday, July 25, when he scored his 38th Test century on Day 2 of the fourth Test at Old Trafford in Manchester, as part of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025.
The former England captain survived a dangerous little spell of play at the close of Day 1 by scoring 11 runs off 27 balls. Root avoided a run-out attempt in the eighth over of Day 2 when batting on 22. Some balls were kept low, and Indian bowlers produced better lines and lengths on Day 2 than on Day 1 of the Test match. Root, on the other hand, became the epitome of calm and serenity, with his perfect technique making life difficult for the opposition bowlers.
In the first session, Root passed Rahul Dravid and Jacques Kallis for the third-highest run tally in Test cricket. Root smashed a reverse sweep off Washington Sundar in the 69th over to reach 49, and then a single off the next delivery to complete his half-century off 99 balls.
Root, on the other hand, did not rest on his laurels, increasing his total to 63 off 115 balls when the umpires brought the players in for lunch. Ollie Pope, the other overnight batsman, was bowled in the third ball after the break. Harry Brook also departed cheaply. Root, on the other hand, kept the Indian bowlers in check and the scoreboard going. He negotiated Washington Sundar’s probing spell.
In the fourth over after the drinks break, Root hit Anshul Kamboj for a boundary, glancing the debutant towards the fine leg fence to bring up his 38th Test century. He got to the fantastic landmark in just 177 balls. He equalled Kumar Sangakkara’s tally of centuries and is now only behind Ricky Ponting, Jacques Kallis, and Sachin Tendulkar.
Take a look at how ‘X’ users reacted to Joe Root’s 38th Test century:
Joe Root now has 9 Test hundreds against India at home – the most by a batter against an opponent in home Tests, surppasing Don Bradman’s eight against England. #INDvsENG
— Prisha (@prishhss) July 25, 2025
Joe Root kya player hai bhai🫡
— Imsajal45 (@Sajalsinha0264) July 25, 2025
Most Hundreds in International cricket among active players:
Virat Kohli – 82
Joe Root – 56*
Rohit Sharma – 49
Kane Williamson – 48
Steve Smith – 48#ShubmanGill #YashasviJasiwal #ViratKohli #KLRahul #INDvsENG #RishabhPant pic.twitter.com/B9gmTYZEcv
— Monish (@Monish09cric) July 25, 2025
THE OLD TRAFFORD STANDS ON THEIR FEET! 🙌🔥
Joe Root brings up his 38th Test century in style! 💯
– The crowd erupts as the English maestro continues to script greatness — what a player, what a moment at Old Trafford! 🏏❤️#JoeRoot #ENGvIND #TestCricket #Root100 #OldTrafford pic.twitter.com/0894fmZM40
— Akaran.A (@Akaran_1) July 25, 2025
Hundred number 38 in the TEST CRICKET for JOE ROOT.
UNREAL CONSISTENCY 🫡 pic.twitter.com/KnzFcORgfd
— abhay singh (@abhaysingh_13) July 25, 2025
Test century no.38 for Joe Root 💯#WTC27 | #ENGvIND 📝: https://t.co/FGxBigGy6J pic.twitter.com/SnnfHLtf8F
— ICC (@ICC) July 25, 2025
In future people will always consider Joe Root a better test batter than Steve Smith based on just the raw stats. It’s only the real viewers of the game who will tell you who was actually better!
— Naman 🏏 (@Mr_unknown23_) July 25, 2025
And he does it again .. #Rrroooooooootttttt
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) July 25, 2025
India
