Joe Root’s Masterclass Puts England in Command Against India
What a day it’s been at Old Trafford! England have completely taken control of this fourth Test match against India, thanks to an absolute batting masterclass led by none other than Joe Root. The third day belonged entirely to the home side, who finished the day on a towering 544 for 7, holding a commanding lead of 186 runs. They didn’t just build a lead—they ground India into the dust.
Joe Root was simply sensational. He scored a magnificent 150 before eventually being stumped, but by then the damage had already been done. His innings wasn’t just about the runs—it was the calm, the control, the way he read the game. He even managed to surpass three all-time greats—Rahul Dravid, Jacques Kallis, and Ricky Ponting—to become the second-highest run-scorer in the history of Test cricket. Only Sachin Tendulkar stands above him now. That alone is a staggering achievement.
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And it wasn’t just Root. Ollie Pope, who made 71, partnered with Root for a vital 144-run stand. He was dropped early but made the most of the chance. Even though he was annoyed by what he called a “soft dismissal,” Pope looked sharp and technically refined, clearly benefitting from the tweaks he made to his game between Tests. His praise for Root was heartfelt—calling him a role model and highlighting his humility and hunger to succeed.
England’s intent was clear: bat India out of the match. From the very first ball today, they batted with purpose and discipline, slowly but surely tightening their grip. Ben Stokes and Liam Dawson were still at the crease at stumps, with Stokes on 77 and looking in no mood to declare just yet. England will likely look to add another 50 or so runs in the morning before unleashing their bowlers.
India, meanwhile, are looking weary. The bowling attack struggled all day, and questions are already being raised—why wasn’t Kuldeep Yadav included, and was Anshul Kamboj the right pick? On top of that, injuries have hit them hard, with Jasprit Bumrah rolling his ankle and Siraj also hobbling. It hasn’t been their day.
And all the while, the pitch has started to show signs of wear—turn, low bounce, the lot. If England’s bowlers can exploit that tomorrow, this Test might not even make it to day five. But make no mistake—today, it was Joe Root’s day, and he reminded the cricketing world why he’s one of the greats.
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