ENG vs IND: Joe Root becomes first batter to score 3000 test runs against India

Joe Root scored his 67th test fifty during the second session of the third ENG vs IND test.

Joe Root has been the best test batter of the current generation. His consistency and records speak for him, and now he has written his name in the history book once again. The former English captain, who is the leading run-scorer in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC), has become the first batter to complete 3000 runs against India in test cricket.

Root, who had an average outing in second test of the five-match series against India at Edgbaston, Birmingham, has started the third test at the Lord’s with an elegant half-century. He came out to bat when England were under pressure at 44/2, losing both openers in a span of four balls.

He, along with Ollie Pope, steadied the ship for England and added a 100-run stand for England for the third wicket. During the partnership, he touched 3000-run mark against India in tests and then completed his 67th fifty in the longest format of the game.

Joe Root completes 3000 test runs against India

Joe Root started a bit rusty, but once he got set, he hit a few glorious drives through the cover. During his innings, he reached the landmark of 3000 runs in test cricket against India and became the first ever batter to do so. Overall, he is the ninth batter to have 3000 or more Test runs against a single opponent.

The 34-year-old made his test debut against India in 2012 in Nagpur and started with a 73-run innings. He took 60 innings to complete 3000 runs at an average of over 57, with ten centuries and 13 half-centuries against India. Ricky Ponting (2555), Alastair Cook (2431), and Steve Smith (2356) follow him next on the list of batters with most test runs against India.

Top 5 batters with most test runs against India:

1. Joe Root – 3000* runs
2. Ricky Ponting – 2555 runs
3. Alastair Cook – 2431 runs
4. Steve Smith – 2356 runs
5. Clive Lloyd – 2344 runs

Meanwhile, Root, with his 67th half-century, surpassed former West Indies batter Shivnarine Chanderpaul’s record. Chanderpaul had hit 66 in his test career. Root is only one behind Sachin Tendulkar, who had hit 68 half-centuries in his test career. Moreover, Joe Root is currently the fifth highest run-scorer in test cricket with 13,177 runs. He is only behind Sachin (15921), Ricky Ponting (13378), Jacques Kallis (13289), and Rahul Dravid (13288).

Talking about the match, England won the toss and opted to bat first. They made only one change to their playing XI, replacing Jofra Archer with Josh Tongue in the lineup. On the other hand, India brought in Jasprit Bumrah for Prasidh Krishna.

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