Joe Root breaks records at Lord’s, surpassing Dravid and Smith

During the third Test at Lord’s, Joe Root rewrote cricket history, smashing through multiple major records in his unbeaten 99 on Day 1 and early in Day 2. His innings helped England reach 251/4, providing stability on a tricky pitch.

 

At Lord’s, Root became the all-time leading run-scorer across formats, with 2,526 runs in 33 matches, eclipsing Graham Gooch’s long-standing total of 2,513.

 

He also reached his 103rd Test fifty-or-more, moving level with Jacques Kallis and Ricky Ponting, and drawing ever closer to Sachin Tendulkar’s famed total.

 

Root reached another historical milestone, becoming the first batter to score 3,000 Test runs against India, reaching 3,054 runs in 33 Tests and scoring 10 centuries and 12 fifties. He is now the all-time leader, cheekily ahead of Ricky Ponting, Alastair Cook, and Steve Smith.

On 99*, Root brought himself one run away from 37 Test centuries to overtake the tie along with Rahul Dravid and Steve Smith and reach fifth position in the overall standings behind Tendulkar, Ponting, Kallis, and Sangakkara.

 

Root's patient 99* summed up the textbook response to a slow two-paced Lord's surface, complemented by Indian discipline in bowling by Bumrah and Jadeja. His 44-run stand with Ollie Pope was useful in stabilising from early hassles.

 

Joe Root is the Lord of Lord’s—not just for runs at the venue, but outplaying Indian attacks consistently. He’s now the first player to score 3,000+ Test runs against India, leads Lord’s scoring charts, and holds 103 fifty-plus scores. And with his 37th Test century secured, he steps ahead of Dravid and Smith into rarefied company.