In a historic moment for English cricket, Joe Root has etched his name further into the annals of the sport by surpassing Sri Lankan legend Sanath Jayasuriya to become the ninth-highest run-scorer in international cricket. This remarkable feat unfolded during the first Test match against India at Headingley, Leeds, on Saturday, as Root continues to solidify his status as one of the modern greats.
Root, the linchpin of England’s batting lineup, scored a gritty 28 runs before falling to Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah. This dismissal marked the 10th time Bumrah has claimed Root’s wicket in just 25 innings, underlining their captivating rivalry. Despite the early exit, Root’s career tally now stands at an astounding 21,053 runs across 479 innings in 366 matches, boasting an impressive average of 49.30. His illustrious record includes 54 centuries and 112 fifties, with a highest score of 262, making him England’s leading run-scorer across all formats.
In overtaking Jayasuriya, Root surpassed the Sri Lankan icon’s tally of 21,032 runs, accumulated over 651 innings at an average of 34.14. Jayasuriya, known for revolutionizing limited-overs batting in the 1990s, notched up 42 centuries and 103 fifties, with a monumental highest score of 340. While Root’s numbers edge past Jayasuriya, the Indian maestro Sachin Tendulkar remains the pinnacle of run-scoring with an untouchable 34,357 runs in 782 innings across 664 matches, at an average of 48.52, including a record 100 centuries.
Delving into Root’s format-wise breakdown, his Test cricket stats are nothing short of extraordinary. He has amassed 13,034 runs in 154 matches at an average of 50.71, with 36 centuries and 65 fifties. In ODIs, Root has scored 7,126 runs at 49.14 across 180 matches, while his T20I contributions stand at 893 runs in 32 matches at an average of 35.72. These numbers reflect Root’s adaptability and consistency across formats, a rare trait in today’s game.
Turning to the ongoing Test at Leeds, England ended day two at 209/3, still trailing India by 262 runs. Ollie Pope stole the show with an unbeaten 100, anchoring the innings alongside Ben Duckett, who contributed a vital 62 runs. Their partnership provided stability after the early loss of Zak Crawley. India’s bowling, led by Bumrah with three wickets, lacked consistent support, allowing England to build a foundation for a potential comeback.
Earlier, India had dominated with the bat, posting a mammoth 471 in their first innings after being asked to bat. The charge was led by spectacular centuries from Yashasvi Jaiswal (101), Shubman Gill (147), and a blazing Rishabh Pant (134). Despite reaching a commanding 430/4, India suffered a late collapse, losing their last six wickets rapidly. England’s Ben Stokes (4/66) and debutant Josh Tongue (4/86) orchestrated the turnaround, offering a glimmer of hope for the hosts.
As the Test progresses, all eyes remain on Root and England’s middle order to see if they can close the gap and challenge India’s dominance. Root’s milestone, however, serves as a reminder of his enduring brilliance and his pivotal role in shaping England’s cricketing legacy. How far can he climb on this elite list of run-scorers? Only time will tell, but for now, Joe Root stands tall as a beacon of consistency and class.