ENG vs IND: Joe Root Brings Up 39th Test Ton, Proves He’s the GOAT of the Modern Era

Joe Root played another brilliant innings, scoring his 39th Test hundred and proving once again why he’s one of the best in the modern game. On Day 4 of the fifth and final Test against India at The Oval, he reached the milestone in 137 balls, guiding England closer to a big series win.

It was a special moment. With “Rooooooot” echoing around the ground, the 34‑year‑old tucked the ball towards long leg, ran two, lifted his bat to the dressing room, then pulled out a headband and pointed to the sky in tribute to Graham Thorpe.

 His proud parents stood in the stands, applauding their son. This was Root’s 13th hundred against India the most by any batter going past Steve Smith’s 11. He also overtook Kumar Sangakkara’s tally of 38 Test centuries, now standing behind only Sachin Tendulkar (51), Jacques Kallis (45), and Ricky Ponting (41). Root also became the first player to score more than 6,000 runs in the World Test Championship. In his 69 WTC matches, he has 21 hundreds and 23 fifties, showing unmatched consistency.

Chasing 374 to win the series 3‑1, Root took charge after Harry Brook’s quick 111. He reached his fifty with a neat push to deep backward square leg and kept finding the gaps, frustrating India’s bowlers. His calm approach and smart batting kept England in control. His hundred put him level with Sunil Gavaskar for most Test hundreds against one team (13), with only Don Bradman’s 19 against England ahead. In all formats, it was his 16th century against India, matching Steve Smith.

Root’s knock also added to the record for most hundreds in a five‑Test series 21 in total equalling the 1955 Australia vs West Indies series. It was not just another century; it showed once again his ability to shine in big moments and take the game away from the opposition. He finally fell to Prasidh Krishna for 105 in the last ball of the 73rd over, but by then, England were well on their way to sealing the series.

ALSO READ: Most 50+ scores in Test history: Sachin Tendulkar leads a legendary list

Twitter reactions after Joe Root Brings Up 39th Test Ton

For Thorpey ❤️

An incredible touch of class from Joe Root after reaching his 39th Test century. #BBCCricket #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/AxK7atPsP0

— Test Match Special (@bbctms) August 3, 2025

TEST CENTURY NO. 39 FOR JOE ROOT! 💯

England's greatest just keeps delivering! 🐐 pic.twitter.com/ys1e4ydkSu

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) August 3, 2025

𝐉𝐨𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐨𝐭’𝐬 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐞! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿💪

His 39th Test ton comes under pressure — but the English maestro makes it look effortless! 🤍🏟️💯#JoeRoot #Tests #ENGvIND #Sportskeeda pic.twitter.com/HbyfaPlw3R

— Sportskeeda (@Sportskeeda) August 3, 2025

𝐂𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐨𝐧 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝, 𝐛𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝 — 𝐉𝐨𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐨𝐭 𝐫𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐬! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿👑

Another ton in the bag — his 39th and counting... 🤍💯

When Root's at the crease, royalty meets reliability! 👌✨#JoeRoot #Tests #ENGvIND #Sportskeeda pic.twitter.com/FtEtuR3UDt

— Sportskeeda (@Sportskeeda) August 3, 2025

39th Test century for Joe Root and this one is a tribute to Graham Thorpe 💙 pic.twitter.com/pFWASyzfbG

— AYESHA (@JoeRoot66Fan) August 3, 2025

Test hundred No.39 for Joe Root 🙌#ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/Jta75JjnS0

— The Cricketer (@TheCricketerMag) August 3, 2025

Joe Root gets to three figures once again, 39 Test tons now, and a jaw-dropping 13 against India! 🔥

Along with Harry Brook, he’s not just anchoring this chase… he’s dominating it 🙇‍♂️#JoeRoot #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/VZDMMQ39M8

— OneCricket (@OneCricketApp) August 3, 2025