ENG vs IND, 4th test, Day 3 Report: Jeo Root's historical inning put England in commanding position

England took a commanding lead against India on Day 3 of the fourth Test at Old Trafford, Manchester, driven by a historic innings from Joe Root and a valiant knock from captain Ben Stokes. England are now leading by 186 runs, with Root scoring a majestic 150 before being dismissed stumped, and Stokes continuing unbeaten on 77, battling through cramps to keep the scoreboard ticking.

Historical inning from Joe Root

Joe Root’s innings was a masterclass in Test batting, as he became the second-highest run-scorer in Test cricket history during his 38th century, overtaking cricketing legends Rahul Dravid and Jacques Kallis in the process. Root joined the elite company of Sachin Tendulkar and Ricky Ponting at the top of the charts with a measured 150 off 248 deliveries, hiting 12 boundaries. Root now has 12 Test centuries against India, the highest number by any batsman against the visitors, surpassing Steve Smith. 

Read Also | Most Tons in Test Cricket: Joe Root gets closer to Sachin's record with his 38th test ton

Ben Stokes bats through pain 

While Root batted with composure, England’s Ben Stokes was heroic in more ways than one. Stokes reached his first fifty of the series, backing it up with a five-wicket haul earlier in the match, displaying the true all-rounder spirit. 

However, the strain started to show on the England captain as he began to suffer cramp in his left leg around the 115th over. Despite trying to soldier on, stretching out between deliveries and hobbling on the field, Stokes made the difficult decision to retire hurt on 66 after 116 deliveries, marking the first time he has retired hurt in international cricket. 

His departure was precautionary to manage his physical condition, given previous hamstring issues and the 129 overs he has already bowled in the series, the highest workload of his career in any single series. 

The ECB confirmed that Stokes was suffering from cramp, and he later returned to bat after a rest break, much to the relief of England supporters. 

No impacts from Indian bowlers; including Bumrah

India's bowling attack, led by Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, battled injury concerns; both had to leave the field temporarily with niggles, adding weight to India’s woes. Bumrah could only bowl a few overs in the post-lunch session before being replaced, while Siraj limped off after strenuous spells, leaving Shubman Gill and the rest to shoulder the burden. Despite these challenges, Bumrah managed to claim Jamie Smith’s wicket, his 50th in England, a small consolation.

The Root-Stokes partnership was pivotal, amassing 142 runs off 215 balls, showcasing a mix of classical stroke play and aggressive innovation, a perfect embodiment of the "Bazball" approach that England has adopted under Stokes' captaincy.

Pope and Root had a 144-run parnership

Root and Ollie Pope earlier had contributed a massive 144-run partnership, further tilting the scales toward England and pushing India into a deep hole. Pope reached his 25th half-century, his first since the start of the series, providing valuable support to Root and Stokes.

Though India managed to cause a few breakthroughs by dismissing Root stumped off Ravindra Jadeja’s bowling and chopping the middle order, their fielding lapses and lack of consistency have been costly. At one point, a run-out chance was spurned due to miscommunication and positioning errors, adding to the pressure on the visitors. 

Washington Sundar's quick two wickets of Ollie Pope and Harry Brook had given India some hope, but as the day progressed, things became difficult for the men in blue.

As the day wrapped up, England appeared significantly ahead in the game with a lead exceeding 180 runs. The pitch conditions suggest that batting in the second innings will be challenging due to variable bounce, meaning India’s batsmen must urgently regroup and prepare for a tough fightback. Injuries to key bowlers and a fatigued fielding unit will compound India’s uphill task in both this match and the series.

This Test is key in the ongoing five-match series, with England leading 2-1. A win here would give England a near-unassailable lead heading into the final Test at The Oval. 

India need to recover quickly, particularly their bowling resources, to stay alive in this series.