India vs England: Joe Root features in his 100th Test
England skipper Joe Root has become the 15th England cricketer to feature in 100 Test matches. He achieved the milestone in the first of the four-Test series at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. After winning the toss in his 100th Test, Root elected to bat. The series opener marks the beginning of England's first Test series in India since 2016/17. Here is more.
Root has been in fine form of late
Root is presently the leading run-scorer among active cricketers in Test cricket. He enters the Chennai Test with 8,249 runs, which he has amassed at an average of 49.39. Prior to this, he had a fantastic series in Sri Lanka, wherein he slammed a historic double-ton. He was the leading run-scorer in the series (426), having averaged over 100 (106.50).
Third-youngest to play 100 Tests
At 30 years and 37 days, Root has become the third-youngest to play 100 Test matches. Former England captain Alastair Cook still remains the youngest to do so (28y, 353d). Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar (29y, 134d) follows him on the tally.
Second-most runs in India among overseas players since 2016/17
At present, Root has the second-most runs among overseas batsmen in India since 2016/17. He has racked up 491 runs at an average of 49.10 during the period. The tally is led by Australia's Steve Smith, who owns 499 runs at an average of 71.28. Notably, Root is followed by his compatriot Moeen Ali (381 runs at 42.33).
A look at his other records
It is interesting to note that Root made his Test debut in India in 2012/13. His 229-ball 73 on a rank-turner helped England draw the Nagpur Test. As a result, England won a historic series in India (2-1) Later on, Root also played his 50th Test in India. Notably, Root has become the first player born in 1990s to play 100 Test matches.
