Joe Root’s Masterclass Puts England in Command of Fourth Test Against India

Record-Breaking 150 from Root and Resilient Stokes Half-Century Build Substantial Lead at Old Trafford

Manchester, UK: England seized firm control of the fourth Test against India at Emirates Old Trafford on Friday, largely thanks to a magnificent, record-breaking knock of 150 from Joe Root and a gritty half-century from captain Ben Stokes. At the close of play on Day 3, the hosts had amassed 544/7, establishing a formidable lead of 186 runs over India. Stokes, battling cramp, remained unbeaten on 77, with Liam Dawson at the other end on 21 not out.

England began the final session of the day at 433/4, with both Root (on 121*) and Stokes (on 36*) well set. India received a slight boost with the return of pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah to open the bowling, despite him having experienced some discomfort with his walk earlier in the second session. England comfortably reached the 450-run mark in 105.4 overs, maintaining their dominance.

A moment of concern for England came in the 108th over when Stokes attempted a reverse-sweep against spinner Washington Sundar. He immediately clutched his left leg, indicating a potential hamstring or calf issue. Despite the visible discomfort, Stokes battled on, reaching his first half-century of the series with three fours, off 97 balls. After adding some quick runs, particularly against the spin duo of Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja, he eventually walked off the field retired hurt on 66*, limping.

Before Stokes’ temporary departure, Joe Root continued his sublime form, reaching his 150 from 246 balls, adorned with 14 boundaries. However, shortly after drinks, India finally found a way to dismiss the prolific batsman. A sharply spinning delivery from Ravindra Jadeja saw Root depart for exactly 150 runs off 248 balls, with Dhruv Jurel pulling off a sharp stumping behind the wickets. This brought England to 499/5.

England swiftly crossed the 500-run mark in 119.4 overs, but India managed to claw back some momentum with two quick wickets. Jasprit Bumrah finally got his reward for persistent bowling, having Jamie Smith caught by Jurel for 9. Soon after, Mohammed Siraj, after toiling for long hours, dismantled Chris Woakes’ stumps, dismissing him for four. These crucial breakthroughs left England at 528/7.

In a show of immense bravery and commitment, Ben Stokes, who had retired hurt earlier, walked back out to the crease following the flurry of wickets. He and Liam Dawson then ensured England navigated the remainder of the day without further loss, meticulously building the lead.

Earlier in the day, Root and Stokes had forged a vital 84-run partnership off 131 balls by the tea break, leaving England at 433/4, with a lead of 75 runs.

The day had started brightly for England, resuming on 225/2, with Ollie Pope (20*) and Root (11*) at the crease, trailing India’s first innings score by 133 runs. They began with positive intent, as Mohammed Siraj leaked some runs and India missed a run-out chance to dismiss Root early. The Root-Pope duo soon brought up their 50-run partnership.

Pope’s fine shot for four against Bumrah saw England reach the 250-run mark in 54.5 overs, a well-timed pull through backward square leg. Root, meanwhile, continued his ascendancy in the record books. After his 31st run, he surpassed Rahul Dravid and Jacques Kallis to become the second-highest run-scorer of all time in Test cricket, with only the legendary Sachin Tendulkar now ahead of him. Despite the relentless grind from Indian pacers Bumrah, Siraj, and Anshul Kamboj, the Root-Pope partnership continued to amass runs at a solid tempo.

Ollie Pope, finding his rhythm, brought up his half-century in 93 balls, including six fours. Kamboj had a chance to dismiss Pope in the 63rd over, but wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel couldn’t hold onto a tough chance as Pope attempted to guide the ball through the third-man region.

A beautiful straight drive by Pope off a full-length delivery from Kamboj helped the duo achieve their 100-run partnership in 172 balls. England marched past the 300-run mark in 66.5 overs. Root also reached his half-century in 99 balls, decorated with six fours. The pair continued to score freely against the spin of Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, ensuring England finished the first session on a high.

After Lunch, Washington Sundar was introduced into the attack and immediately delivered two crucial wickets, dismissing Ollie Pope for 71 (caught by KL Rahul) and Harry Brook for just three (stumped by Jurel after charging down the wicket), momentarily giving India hope. However, Ben Stokes then joined Root, and the duo completed a significant 50-run stand for the fifth wicket in the 94th over, also seeing the hosts cross the 400-run mark.

Root’s monumental day culminated in his 38th Test hundred after pushing the ball towards fine leg for a four off debutant Anshul Kamboj in the 96th over. This century was his 23rd in England, placing him joint-most for anyone in home Tests alongside Ricky Ponting, Jacques Kallis, and Mahela Jayawardene. He also continues to demonstrate his remarkable scoring ability against India, as he surpassed Steve Smith to slam the most centuries against them in Test cricket, now holding 12 hundreds against the Men in Blue.

Brief Scores: England: 544/7 (Joe Root 150, Ben Stokes 77*; Ravindra Jadeja 2/117) vs India: 358 (Sai Sudharsan 61, Rishabh Pant 58; Ben Stokes 5/72).