Joe Root Breaks Records, Surpasses Ponting in England's 4th Test Win Over India
Joe Root scored his 38th century as England continued to dominate India, reaching 433 for four at tea on day three of the fourth Test on Friday.
Washington Sundar provided much-needed relief for India after a wicketless morning session by dismissing Ollie Pope (71 off 128 balls) and Harry Brook (3 off 12) after lunch.
Root, who was batting on 121 off 201 balls, kept accumulating runs and reached his century with a four down the leg side off Anshul Kamboj, establishing a 75-run lead for the hosts.
Shortly after, Root surpassed Ricky Ponting to become the second-highest run-scorer in Tests, trailing only Sachin Tendulkar, who amassed 15,921 runs.
India relied on spinners Washington and Ravindra Jadeja from both ends despite taking the new ball. Sundar succeeded by having Pope caught at first slip and Brook stumped when he couldn't connect on a charge.
Root effectively played on the back foot against the spinners, using the reverse sweep skillfully.
Towards the end of the session, Root took a single off Kamboj to surpass Ponting in the all-time leading run-scorers list.
England captain Ben Stokes (36 batting off 68) supported Root at the other end, with the pair sharing an unbeaten 84-run partnership for the fifth wicket.
Adding to India's troubles, Bumrah bowled just one over with the new ball before leaving the field. Upon returning, the umpires reminded him that he could only bowl post tea.
In the morning session, the Indian bowlers didn't pose enough threat to the experienced Root and Pope, who guided England to 332 for two at lunch.
After a disappointing evening session on day two, the Indian bowling attack again failed to penetrate the England batting.
Apart from the occasional ball keeping low from the James Anderson end and another bouncing from the opposite side, Bumrah and Co didn't trouble Root and Pope.
The Indian pacers continued to offer loose balls, releasing pressure on the opposition, a problem noted from Thursday.
Bumrah started his day by bowling a full ball into Root's pads, which the England veteran flicked for a four. Later in his spell, Pope and Root quickly pulled Bumrah for boundaries when he pitched it short.
Starting the day at 225 for two, England comfortably moved to 266 for two in the first hour of play.
Kamboj, who had a challenging start to his Test career on day two, created a chance in his opening spell, but Dhruv Jurel couldn't hold onto a tough opportunity, with Pope on 48 at the time.
Washington was introduced as late as the 69th over, and Root immediately put him under pressure by reverse sweeping him for a boundary.
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