Root is now 2,512 runs away from replacing India legend Sachin Tendulkar as Test cricket’s highest run-scorer. At his current rate of scoring, he will get there in 25 Tests.
This innings was the 34-year-old’s career rolled into one.
He accumulated with nudges, drove through the covers and played exquisite reverse sweeps against India’s spin.
Having batted through the morning session with Root, Pope nicked Sundar to slip in the off-spinner’s second over after lunch. Sundar found significant drift away from the right-handers – it also did for Brook who was beaten on the outside edge and stumped – but Root remained unflustered throughout that crucial spell.
It took him three overs to move from 98 to 100 but when he reached three figures he did so with a flick to fine leg. He passed Ponting with a trademark dab through point.
Stokes, batting as well as he has for a significant period, took time to get going against Washington and was just breaking free – he hit one extraordinary switch hit for four off Jadeja – when he started to become hampered by cramp.
After he retired hurt, Smith nicked Bumrah behind and Chris Woakes was bowled by one that kept horribly low from Siraj.
Returning to further cheers after an hour in dressing room, Stokes will be eyeing a first Test hundred since the Lord’s Ashes Test of July 2023.
