Joe Root has added another prestigious milestone to his already illustrious cricketing career. The 34-year-old England batter has now become the highest run-scorer for England in One Day Internationals (ODIs), surpassing former captain Eoin Morgan. Root’s record-breaking innings came against the West Indies in Cardiff, where he guided England to a memorable victory with a match-winning unbeaten 166.
But Root’s achievements aren’t limited to the limited-overs format. In Test cricket, he continues to rewrite history and is now on the verge of becoming the first player ever to score 3,000 Test runs against India an unparalleled milestone that would further cement his status as one of modern cricket’s greatest batters.
ODI Milestone: Surpasses Morgan’s Record
- In the second ODI against West Indies at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, Joe Root played a stunning knock of 166 not out off 142 balls.
- His innings powered England to chase down 309 runs with three wickets in hand and sealed the ODI series 2-0.
- With this performance, Root overtook Eoin Morgan’s tally of 6,957 ODI runs, climbing to 7,088 runs in 162 matches.
- His 166* is now his highest individual score in ODIs and one of the finest in recent English white-ball history.
- Root’s consistency and adaptability have been central to England’s white-ball success for more than a decade.
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England’s Test Giant: All-Time Leading Run Scorer
- In Test cricket, Root remains unmatched among Englishmen. With 13,009 runs in 135 Tests, he is already the highest Test run-scorer for England.
- Root recently crossed the 13,000-run mark, becoming the fastest Englishman to do so.
- His Test average stands at 50+, and his career features 30+ centuries showcasing both longevity and elite performance.
Closing in on a Unique Record vs India
- Root is now on the brink of a historic feat: becoming the first cricketer in history to score 3,000 Test runs against India.
- As of now, he has 2,846 runs in 30 Tests vs India, including 10 centuries.
- He needs just 154 more runs to reach the 3,000-run milestone in this legendary bilateral rivalry.
- Root is already the leading run-scorer in India vs England Test matches, surpassing greats like:
- Sachin Tendulkar – 2,535 runs in 32 Tests
- Sunil Gavaskar – 2,483 runs in 38 Tests
What’s Next?
- England will tour India later this year, and with at least one Test scheduled soon, Root is likely to achieve this milestone on Indian soil.
- Given his strong record against India especially in subcontinental conditions chances are high that the 3,000-mark will fall in the upcoming clash.
Legacy in the Making
Joe Root’s dual dominance across formats becoming the top run-getter for England in both ODIs and Tests speaks volumes of his class, fitness, and consistency. As he eyes yet another world-first record against India, Root’s name continues to rise among the pantheon of all-time greats.
Written by RITESH SINGH