They said he was "just a Test match batter." They said he couldn't keep up with the modern game. Well, today in Colombo, Joe Root didn't just silence the doubters; he hit them out of the park.
Also Read: Jos Buttler becomes only second England player to achieve this feat
In the high-stakes 3rd ODI series decider against Sri Lanka, England posted a mountain of a total, finishing on a massive 357. But the headline act wasn't just the score; it was the man at the centre of it all. Joe Root, calm as ever amidst the chaos, stroked his way to a magnificent 61st International century.
This knock is historic. Take a look at where he now stands among the giants of the game currently playing:
MOST HUNDREDS IN INTERNATIONAL CRICKET AMONG ACTIVE PLAYERS, Ft. Joe Root
- Virat Kohli - 85
- Joe Root - 61*
- Rohit Sharma - 50
- Steve Smith - 49
- Kane Williamson - 48
That 61st ton puts Root comfortably in 2nd place on the active list, pulling away from Rohit Sharma and Steve Smith. While he’s already the undisputed King of Test cricket with the most centuries in that format, today’s innings was a loud reminder that his white-ball game is world-class. He isn’t just an accumulator; he’s a match-winner.
It wasn’t a solo show, though. Root found the perfect partner in his Yorkshire teammate, Harry Brook. While Root anchored the innings with pure class, Brook was simply destructive. The youngster blasted a century of his own, turning the Sri Lankan bowling attack into a practice session. Their partnership was the perfect blend of fire and ice, Joe Root manipulating the field while Harry Brook cleared the ropes.
Root walked off unbeaten, finishing with 111 off 108 balls*, peeling off 9 fours and 1 six. He didn't just score runs; he controlled the entire game.
England has set a target of 358. Over to you, Sri Lanka.
