Joe Root added another significant record to his name during the third Test match against India at Lord’s. The former England captain has become only the fourth player in Test cricket history to score over 8,000 runs while batting at number 4, joining elite names such as Sachin Tendulkar, Mahela Jayawardene, and Jacques Kallis.
Root reached this remarkable milestone on Day 4 of the Test. By lunchtime, he had scored 8,009 runs in his 170th innings at number 4, across 99 Tests. His current batting average stands at 51.67, including 25 centuries and 37 half-centuries.
Root Breaks Dravid’s Records
Earlier in the match, Root scored his 37th Test century, surpassing Rahul Dravid’s tally of 36. He resumed Day 2 on 99 not out and reached his century with a boundary off the first ball. It took him 192 deliveries to reach the landmark, displaying immense focus and patience on a pitch that offered assistance to the bowlers.
Root didn’t stop there. He went on to break another of Dravid’s records—this time in the field. With a brilliant diving catch during India’s first innings, Root claimed his 210th Test catch, the most by any non-wicketkeeper in the format’s history. The catch came off Ben Stokes’ bowling, as he dismissed Karun Nair for 40 off 62 balls.
Players with 8000+ Test Runs at No. 4:
Sachin Tendulkar (India) – 13492 runs in 179 matches
Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka) – 9509 runs in 124 matches
Jacques Kallis (South Africa) – 9033 runs in 111 matches
Joe Root (England) – 8009* runs in 99 matches
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