In a moment of pure class and heartfelt tribute, Joe Root brought up his 39th Test century on Day 4 of the fifth and final Test between India and England at The Oval, earning a standing ovation from the London crowd and cementing his place among the greats of the game.
Facing Akash Deep, Root reached the milestone with a gentle nudge to the left of deep fine leg, picking up two runs. As he completed the double, the crowd roared with chants of “Roooooot,” fully aware of the significance of the occasion. The England star removed his helmet, kissed the badge as always, and then reached into his pocket for something special, a Graham Thorpe headband, which he respectfully put on while looking up to the sky in a touching tribute to the late English batter and coach.
This ton was not just another number. With it, Root surpassed Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara, who had 38 Test centuries, to move into fourth place on the all-time list of most Test hundreds. Only legends Sachin Tendulkar (51), Jacques Kallis (45), and Ricky Ponting (41) now sit above him.
Joe Root’s gesture to Thorpe added an emotional layer to an already historic moment, underlining the humility and grace that have defined his career.
'Let Me See A Reverse Sweep': Yashasvi Jaiswal's Cheeky Jibe At Ben Duckett Goes Viral During IND Vs ENG 5th Test; Video
Tensions and banter ran high on Day 4 of the fifth and final Test between India and England at The Oval, as young Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal made headlines, not with the bat this time, but with his words. The fiery left-hander, fielding close in, took a playful dig at England batter Ben Duckett during a tense phase of England’s fourth-innings chase.
As Duckett was assessing the pitch, Jaiswal, in a cheeky attempt to rattle the batter, was heard shouting, “Let me see a reverse sweep here. Come on lads!” The line, delivered with a smirk, was a jab at Duckett’s well-known love for the reverse sweep.
This moment added another layer of theatre to a gripping Test match and showcased how modern cricket blends intense competition with spirited interaction. Whether it got under Duckett’s skin or not, Jaiswal’s quip will likely be remembered as one of the standout snippets from a memorable series finale at The Oval.
