Is Joe Root Statistically the Top Test Batsman and Fielder Against India?

Joe Root

England’s veteran batter Joe Root has once again proven his consistency and dominance in the longest format by scoring his 37th test hundred against India. The third test match at the Lord’s saw Root’s resilience and ability to bat under pressure on Day 2 (July 11). He recorded his 30th fifty-plus score and became the first batter in cricket history to amass 3,000+ runs against India in tests.

Moreover, Root is currently the leading run scorer in the England vs India tests so far, thereby outbeating the tally of the former Indian great batsman Sachin Tendulkar (2,535 runs). Additionally, the 34-year-old equalled the Australian batter Steve Smith’s tally of 11 Test centuries against India.

He shattered multiple records, such that he went on to become the fifth leading century scorer in the traditional format.

Let’s analyze the intriguing records Root accomplished as a batter and fielder in the ongoing third test of the Anderson Tendulkar Trophy 2025, which proves why he is statistically the best cricketer in tests against India.

International Batters Who Scored Most 3000+ Runs Against a Single Opponent Team in Tests

Joe Root recently became the 9th international batter to score above 3,000 runs against a particular team in tests and joined the list of legendary batters such as Don Bradman, Jack Hobbs, Sachin Tendulkar, and others who achieved this feat:

S.NoBatsmanTeamRuns Scored in Tests against Opponent Team
1.Don BradmanAustralia5,028 runs vs England
2.Jack HobbsEngland3,636 runs vs Australia
3.Sachin TendulkarIndia3,630 runs vs Australia
4.Allan BorderAustralia3,548 runs vs England
5.Steve SmithAustralia3,417 runs vs England
6.David GowerEngland3,269 runs vs Australia
7.Garry SobersWest Indies3,214 runs vs England
8.Steve WaughAustralia3,200 runs vs England
9.Joe RootEngland3,059 runs vs India

Top 5 Batters Who Recorded Most Test Centuries vs India ft. Root and Smith

In terms of the number of test centuries, Australia’s Steve Smith and England’s Joe Root, the two active batters in their test career, jointly hold the record of smashing 11 tons against India:

S.NoPlayer (NATION)NationNumber of Test Centuries against India
1.Steve SmithAustralia11
2.Joe RootEngland11
3.Garry SobersWest Indies8
4.Viv RichardsWest Indies8
5.Ricky PontingAustralia8

Only English Batter to Score 3,000+ Test Runs Against India

As Joe Root is the leading run-scorer against India in tests, it is to be noted that he is the only English batter who has amassed 3,000+ runs against the same team:

England BatterCareer SpanMatchesInningsRuns
Joe Root2012 to 2025 (Active)33603,059
Alastair Cook2006 to 201830542,431
Graham Gooch1979 to 199319331,725
Kevin Pietersen2006 to 201216281,581
David Gower1979 to 199024371,391

Batters with Most Runs in England vs India International Matches (Tests, ODIs, and T20Is)

Recently, Joe Root’s 104-run knock helped him surpass Virat Kohli’s stats, thereby becoming the leading run scorer in England vs India matches across all three formats of international cricket (including tests, ODIs, and T20Is):

S.NoBatsmanNationRuns in International Cricket (ENG vs IND)
1.Joe RootEngland4,071
2.Virat KohliIndia4,036
3.Sachin TendulkarIndia3,990
4.Alastair CookEngland3,253
5.MS DhoniIndia2,999

As Joe Root is currently an active player in both tests and ODIs, he is certain to retain the top spot on a longer basis. This is because Virat Kohli, who recently retired from tests, will currently be involved only in the ODI format and would have a tough time overtake Root’s position.

Most Outfield Catches Taken by any Fielder in Tests ft. Joe Root

While Joe Root smashed several records as a batter, it is noteworthy to know that as a fielder, he leads the charts for taking the most outfield catches in tests. Also, surpassed the former Indian batsman Rahul Dravid’s count of 210 catches.

Root accomplished this feat in the 21st over, bowled by the England captain Ben Stokes during India’s first innings. He took a superb catch to dismiss Karun Nair, who was all set to regain his peak form by scoring 40 runs from 62 balls (including 4 fours). As a result, Root enhanced his tally to 211 catches in test cricket.

Here is a list of those cricketers who grabbed the most catches in their test cricket career, with Joe Root once again finding himself at the top position:

S.NoBatsmanNationCatches Taken in Test Career
1.Joe RootEngland211
2.Rahul DravidIndia210
3.Mahela JayawardeneSri Lanka205
4.Steve SmithAustralia200
5.Jacques KallisSouth Africa200

NOTE: Joe Root’s number of catches has been updated after Day 02 of the England vs India 3rd test 2025.