The 4th Check between England and India at Manchester has delivered drama, milestones, and dominant particular person brilliance. England, trying to lengthen their 2-1 sequence lead, hosted India at Previous Trafford from July 23, 2025, with each groups itching to realize the higher hand deep into the English summer time.
Joe Root rises above Ricky Ponting reaching a large feat in Check cricket
Day 3 at Previous Trafford witnessed historical past as Joe Root etched his title above Australian legend Ricky Ponting to change into the second-highest run-scorer in Check cricket—a second that triggered raucous applause and the acquainted “Roooooooooot” reverberating from the stands. Steering a supply from younger Anshul Kamboj behind level for a run, Root moved previous Ponting’s profession tally of 13,378 Check runs. Solely Sachin Tendulkar, along with his towering 15,921 runs, now stands above the Yorkshireman in Check cricket’s all-time annals.
Root’s Manchester innings was one other masterclass in composure and resilience. Beginning the day needing simply over 100 runs to eclipse Ponting, he constructed with persistence, ultimately reaching his thirty eighth Check century—matching Kumar Sangakkara’s tally for fourth-most Check a whole lot. This knock was not simply statistically important; it additional cemented Root’s standing because the pre-eminent Check batter of his technology, and his consistency within the longest format continues to attract admiration from friends, together with Ponting himself.
Additionally WATCH: KL Rahul grabs a pointy catch to dismiss Ollie Pope on Day 3 of the fourth Check
Joe Root and firm bat India barely out of the competition
Root’s record-breaking marathon was the spine of an imposing English response to India’s first-innings 358. Key to England’s dominance was the blistering 166-run opening partnership between Zak Crawley (84) and Ben Duckett (94), which instantly put the Indian assault on the backfoot. Ollie Pope’s composed 71 complemented the inspiration, but it surely was Root’s assured hundred and unbroken stand with Stokes (36*) that seized management.
By tea on Day 3, England sat at 433/4 after 102 overs, main by 75 runs, with Root unbeaten on 121. India, regardless of spirited half-centuries from their high order and a courageous fifty from an injured Rishabh Pant within the first innings, struggled for breakthroughs because the pitch eased underneath the Manchester solar. Solely Washington Sundar supplied resistance with two wickets, however aside from that, Indian bowlers discovered little reward for his or her toil.
Additionally READ: ENG vs IND: Followers specific outrage as Ollie Pope and Joe Root frustrate Indian bowling lineup on Day 3 of fourth Check
