England skipper Joe Root continued his exceptional form at his home ground in Leeds slamming his third century of the series.
England skipper Joe Root continued his terrific form in Test matches as he slammed his 23rd Test century, sixth this year and third this series as he helped his side pile on India's misery in the third Test at Headingley. Root having already slammed two centuries in the series came in to bat at 159/3 with his side ahead by 80 runs, so he had the license to go for his shots from the outset as he has done throughout this series.
Root didn't look in any discomfort and just dictated terms on the field. While the pitch has certainly got better for batting, Root has just looked like playing in a different league altogether. Whether it was pace or spin, Root with his backfoot punches especially through the covers or on the leg-side as well was making batting look easy.
Root just eased his way into his century as he equalled Kevin Pietersen's tally of 23 and joined him at second position in the list for most Test hundreds for England. Former England captain Alastair Cook still leads the list with 33 centuries.
This was Root's eighth century against India, most for a batsman against the visitors as he joined an elite list, which included the likes Ricky Ponting, Sir Vivian Richards, Steve Smith and Gary Sobers, who all have slammed eight centuries in Tests against India.
Root's century meant he was now at the top of the list of batsmen with most centuries in England-India Tests. Cook, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar are all tied on seven centuries and Root has now surpassed all of them with the eighth. Behind those three were Mohammad Azharuddin and Kevin Pietersen having hit six centuries in England-India encounters.
Root's magical form in this series meant he also has now accumulated 500 runs in this series in five innings with as many innings still left.
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