Joe Root busts towering World Record after notching his 39th Test century in series decider vs India, also equals Sunil Gavaskar's legendary feat

Joe Root made history on the action-packed Day 4 of the fifth and final Test between India and England at The Oval. Root hit a spellbinding century which was his 39th in the longest format. With this Root scripted a massive World Record. The veteran English batter shattered the record for the most centuries scored in home Tests. Root’s century in the second innings of the fifth Test against India was his 24th Test hundred on English soil. This achievement surpasses the 23 home centuries held by cricketing legends Ricky Ponting, Jacques Kallis, and Mahela Jayawardene.

Joe Root scripts massive World Record with 39th Test ton

Root, who ended up scoring an impressive 105 off 152, reached his milestone with a two-run shot off the first ball of the 69th over, bowled by Akash Deep in the third session of the fourth day's play. This century was a crucial part of England's second innings in the match at The Oval.

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Batters with most 100s in Tests at home:

The century Joe Root scored in the fifth Test helped him break Jack Hobbs' record and equal Sunil Gavaskar's achievement of 12 Test centuries against a single team. Hobbs scored 12 Test centuries for England against Australia. Root has now surpassed that mark with 13 centuries against India in Tests. 

Batters with most tons vs one team in Tests:

In 20 home Tests against India, Joe Root has scored 10 centuries. This is a remarkable achievement, as no other batter in the world has scored more than eight Test centuries at home against a single opponent.

Batters with most centuries vs one team in Tests at home:

The fifth Test between India and England is poised for a dramatic finish. The umpires called the players off the field after rain called early stumps with England at 339/6, needing just 35 more runs to secure a series victory. India, on the other hand, need just four wickets to win the match and level the series.