Joe Root scored his 11th Test hundred vs India at Lord’s, matching Steve Smith’s record and becoming the third batter with three straight tons there.

Joe Root has achieved another massive milestone in his career in Tests. The erstwhile England captain has equaled the most Test centuries against India along with Australia’s Steve Smith. Root reached this feat in the current third Test at Lord’s Cricket Ground.

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Root Brings Up 11th Test Hundred vs India

Root was 99 not out at the close of play on Day 1. At the start of Day 2, he drove a wide ball from Jasprit Bumrah to the boundary to reach his 37th Test century. This also turned out to be his 11th hundred against India and saw him join Steve Smith on the joint-highest Test century tally against India.

Test Hundreds vs India:

• Joe Root – 11
• Steve Smith – 11
• Ricky Ponting – 8
• Sir Viv Richards – 8
• Gary Sobers – 8

Only Root and Smith have crossed the 11-century barrier against India, while the other three, Ponting, Richards, and Sobers, have eight each.

Root’s innings again displayed why he is among England’s all-time great batters in Tests.

Also Read | Watch: Gill’s Angry Reaction After Umpires Replace 10-Over-Old Ball

Root’s Strong Record at Lord’s

This was Joe Root’s third Test hundred in succession at Lord’s, and he is only the third player to do so in history. The other two are:

• Jack Hobbs (1912-1926)
• Michael Vaughan (2004-2005)

Root’s Key Role in England’s Innings

After gaining the toss and electing to bat, England lost their openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett early on. But Root assisted in calming down the innings with a crucial partnership with Ollie Pope. Even though Pope and Harry Brook got out quickly, Root and Ben Stokes continued another solid stand.

But India came back as Jasprit Bumrah dismissed Stokes early on Day 2. England were 260 for 5 at that point, with Root on 103 not out and Jamie Smith yet to open his account.