Joe Root surpassed Australian great Ricky Ponting's career tally during a magnificent innings at Old Trafford, accumulating 13,379 Test runs to claim second place amongst the sport's all-time leading scorers.
The 34-year-old achieved this monumental feat whilst crafting a superb 150 against India on the third day of the fourth Test.
A deft stroke behind point off Anshul Kamboj brought the historic single that elevated Root above Ponting's 13,378 runs.
Only India's Sachin Tendulkar, with his extraordinary 15,921 runs, now stands ahead of England's premier batsman in Test cricket's pantheon.
Reuters
|Joe Root has underlined his status as England's greatest Test batsman
England's dominance extended far beyond individual brilliance, with the hosts amassing 544 for seven to establish a commanding 186-run advantage over India's first-innings 358.
Root's masterclass formed the centrepiece of England's response, featuring crucial partnerships that dismantled India's bowling attack.
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The Yorkshireman combined with Ollie Pope for 144 runs, before Pope departed for 71.
Following Harry Brook's swift exit for three, Root joined forces with captain Ben Stokes in a formidable 142-run stand.
Their partnership eventually concluded when Stokes left the field with cramp on 66, though he later returned to finish unbeaten on 77.
The Old Trafford faithful erupted with chants of "Roooooooooot" as their hero reached his 38th Test hundred, matching Kumar Sangakkara's achievement for fourth-most centuries in the format.
Having survived an early run-out opportunity on 22, Root's innings proved flawless thereafter.
Physical challenges emerged late in his marathon effort, with the batsman battling cramp similar to his captain's affliction.
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Reuters
|Ravindra Jadeja took Joe Root's wicket in the end but not before he made 150 runs
Ravindra Jadeja eventually ended Root's resistance through a stumping, exploiting the Englishman's diminished mobility.
Earlier contributions from Zak Crawley's 84 and Ben Duckett's 94 had established a formidable 166-run opening stand, laying the foundation for England's imposing total.
India's bowlers struggled throughout, with Washington Sundar claiming two wickets whilst Jasprit Bumrah managed just a single over with the second new ball after injuring his ankle.
Mohammed Siraj and Ravindra Jadeja provided limited support as England's batsmen prospered.
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Reuters
|Joe Root put on a masterclass at Old Trafford
With two days remaining, England require twenty Indian wickets to secure an insurmountable 3-1 series advantage.
The pitch showed encouraging signs for England's bowlers, with Jadeja extracting turn and variable bounce emerging from one end.
Victory would represent a significant triumph for Stokes's side, who currently hold a 2-1 lead in this compelling series between cricket's traditional rivals.