S Poddar
In a splendid performance at Edgbaston, Joe Root has joined an elite group of batsmen, becoming only the seventh player in history to exceed 12,000 Test runs.
During the third Test against the West Indies, Root reached this milestone just after lunch on day two. The crowd, especially the lively Hollies Stand, erupted in celebration, chanting his name. To the uninitiated, the cheer might have sounded like a prolonged “Boooo!” but it was actually an enthusiastic “Roooot!”
Root achieved this feat by hooking Alzarri Joseph’s delivery to the long-leg boundary, taking his total to 12,002. This shot exemplifies Root’s mature approach to the game. He rarely goes for big shots, focusing instead on working the ball into gaps for singles and punishing only the bad deliveries.
Despite his status as England’s elder statesman, Root’s playful spirit remains intact, always quick with a smile and a joke. His modesty and sportsmanship have made him a respected figure both on and off the field.
By reaching this milestone, Root joins the esteemed company of Sir Alastair Cook, Rahul Dravid, Jacques Kallis, Ricky Ponting, Kumar Sangakkara, and Sachin Tendulkar. This group is known for its technical prowess and mental toughness, and Root’s inclusion underscores his exceptional talent.
Although Root needed 261 innings to achieve this landmark, the second-most among his peers, this is a testament to the challenging conditions of batting in England. Like Cook, who took the most innings to reach 12,000 runs, Root has faced the difficulties of playing in a middle-order position in English conditions, making his achievement all the more impressive.
