Root's historic day helps England build first innings lead on day three

Joe Root moved up to second in the all-time Test scoring leaderboard as he helped England build a strong first-innings lead against India at Old Trafford.

The hosts ended day three on 544-7, with a lead of 186, after Root led the way with a sensational 150 in Manchester.

Root and Ollie Pope (71) formed a 144-run partnership to get England off to a good start on the third day, having started Friday's action at 225-2.

Washington Sundar (2-57) then made a dent in England's innings after removing Pope and Harry Brook (three) within the space of four overs.

Root was eventually stumped by Dhruv Jurel off the bowling of Ravindra Jadeja (2-114), but not without taking the hosts to 499.

Jasprit Bumrah (1-91) and Mohammed Siraj (1-108), meanwhile, picked up the late wickets of Jamie Smith (nine) and Chris Woakes (four) respectively.

Ben Stokes (77 not out), who briefly retired due to cramp before coming back out, and Liam Dawson (21 not out) will start day four at the crease as England will look to quickly add runs to their first-innings lead.

12 - @root66 has now hit 12 Test centuries against India, the outright most by any batter and the joint-most by any @englandcricket batter against a single opponent (12 - Jack Hobbs v AUS); only D Bradman (19 v ENG) and S Gavaskar (13 v WI) have scored more against a team. Bully. pic.twitter.com/yvL8j89TEn
— OptaJim (@OptaJim) July 25, 2025

Data Debrief: Both eyes on Tendulkar for Root

Root has now scored 13,409 runs in Test cricket, surpassing Ricky Ponting's 13,378 and is now 2,512 behind leader Sachin Tendulkar.

Only Tendulkar (119) has scored more 50+ scores in Tests than Root (104), while the Yorkshireman is now tied-fourth with Kumar Sangakkara on 38 centuries in the longest format, with Tendulkar once again leading the way with 51.

His hundred at Old Trafford was his 12th against India, the most by any batter, and the joint-most by any English batter against a single opponent (Jack Hobbs, 12 against Australia). Only Don Bradman (19 against England) and Sunil Gavaskar (13 against West Indies) have scored more against a single team.