Indian bowlers looked helpless as Joe Root scored a brilliant 150 on Day 3 of the fourth Test, helping England dominate the game. Root's 38th Test century gave England full control and pushed the match further away from India. At stumps, England were 544 for 7, leading by 186 runs on a pitch that is becoming increasingly difficult to bat on. An innings victory and a 3-1 series win now seem very likely.

Root Rises to Second on Test Run-Scoring List

The packed crowd at Old Trafford enjoyed every shot from Root as he climbed to No. 2 on the all-time Test run-scoring list. Bathed in Manchester’s bright Friday sun, Root passed Rahul Dravid, Jacques Kallis, and Ricky Ponting to sit behind only Sachin Tendulkar.

Though Tendulkar still leads by a large margin, Root is now within reach. Root overtook Dravid and Kallis when he reached 31 runs. Later, just before tea, he scored a single to reach 120, moving past Ponting’s 13,378 runs. Ponting praised Root on Sky Sports after losing his place.

Stokes Shares a Key Stand Before Retiring Hurt

Root shared a 142-run stand with captain Ben Stokes. Stokes was forced to retire hurt for the first time in his Test career after scoring 66. He had suffered previous injuries at the same venue, but this time it was only cramp. After resting for 13 overs, he returned to bat late in the day.

When Root moved past Ponting’s tally, Stokes wanted to hug him. However, Root simply raised a thumb. Stokes clapped from the non-striker’s end instead.

Multiple Milestones for Root

Root’s hundred also placed him level with Kumar Sangakkara for the fourth-most Test centuries (38). It was his 12th century against India, breaking Steven Smith’s record. He also became the first player to score 1,000 Test runs at Old Trafford.

He reached 150 for the 16th time, going one better than Ponting in that category too. However, Ravindra Jadeja finally dismissed him for 150, stumped by Dhruv Jurel — one of Jurel’s four dismissals in the day. Jurel, filling in for Rishabh Pant, was India’s brightest spot.

England’s Morning Charge Led by Root and Pope

Earlier, Root and Ollie Pope batted through the morning session without losing a wicket. Root made his 104th fifty-plus score, reaching the mark in just 99 balls. Pope scored 71, his 25th fifty-plus effort.

Their 144-run stand was their sixth century partnership, the most by any pair under Stokes' captaincy. They ran hard between wickets and found gaps smartly. The only scare came when Pope called for a quick single and Root narrowly avoided a run-out on 22.

Pope edged one just before lunch on 48, but Jurel couldn’t grab the tough chance. After the break, Pope fell immediately, edging the first ball to KL Rahul at slip. It was a repeat of his dismissal at Lord’s after tea.

India Strike Back But Too Late

Washington Sundar finally got the breakthrough by removing Pope. He then dismissed Harry Brook for just 3, trapping him with some late drift. Jurel stumped Brook sharply — Brook’s first such dismissal in Test cricket.

It was strange that captain Shubman Gill waited until the 69th over to bring in Washington. He had done well in the third Test, taking 4 for 22. But by the time he struck here, England had already turned the game around.

England trailed by nine runs when Stokes walked out. Having taken five wickets in the first innings, he looked calm with the bat. His half-century took 97 balls with just three boundaries — his first since November.

Stokes Battles Cramp But Returns to Fight

Stokes started feeling pain in his calf during the 108th over after a reverse sweep. He continued for seven more overs before leaving the field. England’s physio checked him, and he eventually walked off.

His past injuries — a troublesome knee and hamstring tears — raised concerns. He had already bowled more in this series than ever before in one series: 129 overs.

After 6 pm, Stokes returned to bat following the dismissals of Jamie Smith and Chris Woakes. Smith was Jasprit Bumrah’s 50th Test wicket in England. Woakes fell to a low ball from Siraj. As Stokes walked back out, the crowd gave him a huge cheer. He joined Liam Dawson, playing his first Test since 2017.

Stokes ended the day on 77 — his best score in 10 innings.

Indian Bowlers Struggle with Injuries

Bumrah and Siraj tried to bowl short to unsettle the batters late in the day. But both were dealing with injuries. Bumrah rolled his ankle on the stairs and could bowl only one over with the second new ball. Siraj rolled his foot and left the field before tea but returned later to take a wicket.

According to bowling coach Morne Morkel, both bowlers were in discomfort. As day three ended, India’s quicks looked exhausted. England stayed in command.

Brief Scorecard