India’s tour of England hit a staggering roadblock in the 4th Test at Old Trafford as Joe Root produced a record-breaking performance, leaving the visitors in disarray. What began as a promising series turned into a nightmare for Rohit Sharma’s men, with England seizing complete control, thanks largely to Root’s batting brilliance and a collective Indian batting failure.
The former England captain was at his sublime best, scoring a majestic double century that not only demoralized the Indian bowling attack but also saw him rewrite the record books. With this knock, Root surpassed both Ricky Ponting and Rahul Dravid to become the third-highest run-scorer in Test cricket history, behind only Sachin Tendulkar and Jacques Kallis.
His unbeaten 202 was a masterclass in patience, timing, and precision. Root’s innings laid the foundation for England’s massive first-innings total of 509/6 declared, effectively batting India out of the game. He was ably supported by Zak Crawley (96) and Ben Stokes (82), who ensured that the Indian bowlers toiled without much reward.
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In response, the Indian batting line-up crumbled under pressure yet again, folding for a mere 187 in the first innings. James Anderson, on his home turf, reminded everyone of his enduring class with a five-wicket haul, while Mark Wood’s raw pace rattled the middle order. Shubman Gill was the only silver lining with a gritty 55, but the rest failed to apply themselves on a flat deck.
Following on, India fared no better. Root’s part-time spin even fetched him two wickets, including a prized one of Virat Kohli, who has now gone 11 innings in England without a fifty-plus score.
As the innings defeat loomed large, social media buzzed with criticism of India’s lack of adaptability and fragile middle order. The once tightly-contested series is now firmly in England’s grip, with the hosts leading 2-1 going into the final Test at The Oval.
Joe Root, meanwhile, continues to evolve not just as England’s batting cornerstone but also as a player for the ages. His Manchester epic is being hailed as one of the finest innings by a modern-day Test cricketer — combining statistical weight with contextual dominance.
For Team India, it’s back to the drawing board. Their batting woes, questionable team selections, and lack of penetration in key sessions have all come under scrutiny. Unless they pull off a dramatic turnaround in the final Test, England look poised to take the series, with Root’s bat dictating the script.
