Did Root's 150 and Stokes' 77 Secure England's Lead Over India?

Manchester, July 25 (NationPress) Joe Root produced a dazzling innings of 150, solidifying his position as the second-highest run-scorer in Test history. Meanwhile, captain Ben Stokes made a commendable return to the field after experiencing cramps, remaining unbeaten on 77. Their remarkable performances have propelled England to a commanding lead of 186 runs over India during the third day of the fourth Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy Test held at Old Trafford on Friday.

Starting their innings at 225/2, England amassed an impressive 319 runs while losing five wickets. The day’s standout moment was Root's blend of surgical precision and artistic flair, which allowed him to surpass legends like Jacques Kallis, Rahul Dravid, and Ricky Ponting, securing his place as the second leading run-scorer in Test matches with his 38th Test century.

Root and Ollie Pope shared a significant partnership of 144 runs, with Pope contributing 71. Stokes also marked his highest score of the series. With Stokes and Liam Dawson (who scored 21 not out) at the crease, England appears poised to extend their lead, capitalizing on the struggling Indian bowling attack, which faltered in both execution and strategy.

Adding to India’s woes, fast bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj occasionally left the field due to ankle issues, though Bumrah did return. On a day when India conceded over 500 runs for the first time since 2021, they face a daunting task to recover and mount a challenge in the match.

The morning session started quietly until Root struck Bumrah for a boundary, followed by both Root and Pope scoring against Siraj. A missed run-out opportunity for Root on 22 highlighted India's struggles, with no backup at the stumps.

The pair continued to score freely against India's main bowlers, with Pope reaching his 16th Test fifty off 93 balls. After passing 31, Root overtook the likes of Dravid and Kallis to become the third highest run-scorer in Tests.

When Washington Sundar finally entered the attack in the 69th over, Root achieved his 104th fifty-plus score off 99 balls just before lunch. After the break, Sundar claimed Pope’s wicket, who edged a delivery to KL Rahul at slip.

India’s tactic of delaying the new ball proved effective when Sundar made Harry Brook fall victim to a dipping delivery, resulting in a stumping by substitute keeper Dhruv Jurel for just three runs. Root and Stokes then began to build a crucial lead for England.

After spending 18 balls in the 90s, Root finally brought up his second century of the series with a delightful clip down the leg-side off Anshul Kamboj in the 96th over, marking his 12th century against India amidst thunderous applause from the Old Trafford crowd.

More cheers erupted in the 101st over as Root guided Kamboj for a single, surpassing Ponting to become the second-highest all-time Test run-scorer right before the tea break.

The final session opened with Bumrah resuming bowling, but he struggled to find his rhythm. Root remained in top form, driving Shardul Thakur for four, while Stokes followed suit with a boundary off Bumrah.

After reaching his 36th half-century, Stokes reverse-swept Ravindra Jadeja for another boundary, but retired hurt due to a cramp after feeling discomfort in his left calf during the 115th over.

Root’s stellar innings concluded at exactly 250 when he was stumped off a sharp delivery from Jadeja that spun and bounced past his edge.

Bumrah made an impact upon his return, taking Jamie Smith’s edge with his first ball, caught brilliantly by Jurel. Siraj also entered the wicket-takers’ list, removing Chris Woakes with a low delivery that crashed into the stumps. Stokes returned to ensure no further wickets fell, completing a dominant day of Test cricket for England.

Brief Scores: India 358 in 114.1 overs (B Sai Sudharsan 61; Ben Stokes 5-72) trail England 544/7 in 135 overs (Joe Root 150, Ben Duckett 94; Washington Sundar 2-57, Ravindra Jadeja 2-117) by 186 runs