Joe Root shined with the bat again in the second innings of Day 4 of the fifth Test against India at The Oval on Sunday, August 3. The right-handed batsman scored his 39th Test century in a 374-run chase. The 34-year-old required 137 balls to achieve the three-figure mark, including 12 boundaries. This was his 13th Test ton against India.
The ex-England skipper moved past ex-Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara as fourth most hundreds in the Test with 41 followed by Sachin Tendulkar (51), Jacques Kallis (45) and Ricky Ponting (41).
In his innings, Root and Harry Brook (111) put together 195 runs and ensured that England was in control of India in the pursuit.
The Yorkshire batsman was hailed by his fans on X and was termed to have quite exceptional consistency after his heroics in the fourth innings against the visitors in the fifth Test. One of the user wrote:
“Joe Root’s 39th Test hundred. The man is phenomenal.”
Another user commented:
“Joe Root scoring Test hundreds at will.. 4th innings pressure.. big target to chase, but he has batted in a different league altogether. Genuine match winner. Such a delight to watch!”
A third user added:
“39 hundreds and he’s still probably got a good 3 years left in him. Joe Root. Unbelievable stuff.”
Here are a few more reactions:
Joe Root- what an innings and what a celebration too 🙌
— Freddie Cardy (@CardyFreddie) August 3, 2025Joe Root 🐐
Unbelievable player. Writing history with every run he scores. 39th Test century, crazy.
— Shrutika Gaekwad (@Shrustappen33) August 3, 2025give Joe Root a knighthood. no better athlete and statesman than him from this country
— ♱ (@sliceinterlude) August 3, 2025England on Verge of 3-1 Triumph After Stellar Efforts from Joe Root and Harry Brook
The centuries scored by Joe Root and Harry Brook took England near to winning in the fifth Test against India. Brook hit 111 runs of 98 balls with two sixes and 14 fours. The right-arm capitalized on his lost chance after Mohammed Siraj gave him a reprieve on 19 during the lunch on Day 4.
It is the second time, after Headingley, that England are expected to chase a target of 370 or more. The hosts won the series opener by five wickets after successfully chasing down 371. They also won the third Test at Lords by 22 runs. Meanwhile, India won only the second Test by 336 runs at Edgbaston. The fourth Test in Manchester ended in a tie.
At the end of Day 4, England were 339 for 6, chasing 374 to win the Test and clinch the series. They needed just 35 more runs with four wickets in hand—a nervy but very achievable target
If Team India loses, it will be their third consecutive Test series defeat, following Australia (1-3 away) and New Zealand (0-3 at home).
