England’s star batter Joe Root reached a significant milestone in his Test career during the third game of the five-match series against India, held at the historic Lord’s Cricket Ground. On Friday, Root scored his 37th Test century, overtaking two modern-day greats — Rahul Dravid of India and Steve Smith of Australia, who each have 36 Test hundreds to their names.
A Brilliant Knock in Root’s 156th Test Outing
Showcasing his signature calm and elegant style, Joe Root brought up a century in his 156th Test match, further cementing his reputation as one of the modern era’s top Test batters. His century was not just an individual triumph but also a crucial contribution to England in the ongoing high-stakes series against a strong Indian side.
Closing In on Sangakkara in All-Time List
With this century, Root now stands just one century behind Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara, who sits fourth on the all-time list with 38 Test centuries. Root is firmly on track to join, and possibly surpass, the elite few who have scored the most centuries in the history of Test cricket.
All-Time Test Century Leaders: The Elite Club
Joe Root’s latest achievement places him among cricket’s most iconic names. Here’s how the all-time Test century leaderboard looks:
Sachin Tendulkar (India) – Holds the world record with 51 Test centuries in a career spanning 200 matches
Jacques Kallis (South Africa) – 45 centuries in 166 Tests
Ricky Ponting (Australia) – Registered 41 Test centuries over the course of 168 matches
Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) – 38 centuries in 134 Tests
Joe Root (England) – 37 centuries in 156 Tests (and counting)
Rahul Dravid (India) – Achieved 36 Test centuries during his 164-match career
Steve Smith (Australia) – Notched up 36 Test centuries in just 105 appearances
Root’s Remarkable Consistency and Longevity
Joe Root’s rise through the record books is a testament to his consistency, technical excellence, and ability to perform across conditions. From his debut in 2012 to now, Root has become a pillar of England’s Test team, often stepping up in crucial moments, much like he did in this ongoing series.
Final Thoughts
As Joe Root continues to rewrite record books, his name is now regularly mentioned among the greatest to have played the game. With many matches still ahead of him, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him climb even higher on the list of all-time greats.