Joe Root scored a masterful 150 to surpass Ricky Ponting on the all-time run-scoring list, as England took control of the fourth Test against India at Old Trafford on Friday. Root's 38th Test century, his 150 from 248 balls, lifted him to second place behind only Sachin Tendulkar, with a career tally of 13,409 runs. The milestone came when he guided Anshul Kamboj for a single to move to 120, overtaking Ponting's 13,378 runs.
England closed on 544 for seven, leading by 186 runs after trailing by 133 on day two. Ben Stokes contributed an unbeaten 77, while Ollie Pope made a purposeful 71, adding 144 for the third wicket with Root. Stokes, who took his first five-wicket haul on day two, retired hurt briefly with cramp but returned to the crease.
India had a brief spell of success in the afternoon when Washington Sundar dismissed Pope and Harry Brook, reducing England to 349 for four. However, injuries to fast bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj hampered their efforts. Bumrah left the field after one over with an apparent ankle twinge, while Siraj also hobbled off but later returned.
Root's innings was marked by his ability to pick up length early and manipulate the field. The only hiccup came when he was stumped off Ravindra Jadeja in the final session, accidentally treading on the ball. With rain forecast for Sunday, India face a tough task to avoid defeat, especially with Rishabh Pant sidelined with a broken foot.
