England’s Joe Root scored a patient unbeaten 99 in the hosts’ four-wicket win over India in the second ODI series to force a decider. At Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, on July 16, Root took England to the target of 234 with 35 balls to spare. In doing so, he surpassed India’s Virat Kohli on the list of batters with highest average in successful ODI run chases (minimum 2,000 runs).
Root now has an average of 91.59 in won ODI run chases. He is now second on the list, behind former India captain MS Dhoni with a 102.71 average. Dhoni has scored 2,876 runs from 75 successful ODI run chases, featuring two tons and 20 fifties. Root has 2,473 runs from 47 innings, including seven centuries and 12 fifties. Kohli is third on the list with 6,235 runs from 105 innings, averaging 89.07, featuring 24 tons and 29 fifties.
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Atkinson robs Root of 21st ODI ton
Root remained stranded on 99 as Gus Atkinson hit a boundary off Prasidh Krishna to finish the run chase on the first ball of the 45th over. Root scored 99 runs from 133 balls, including nine fours.
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Root 1st in England ODI history to unique feat
He became the first England batter in ODI history to remain not out for 99. He is fourth batter against India and 17th overall to achieve the rare feat. Interestingly, the first time a batter scored 99 not out was against India. New Zealand's Bruce Edgar scored 99 from 146 balls against India in Auckland in February 1981. In 2002, West Indies' Ram Sarwan scored 99 runs from 104 balls against India in Ahmedabad. Five years later, Pakistan's Mohammad Yousuf scored 99 from 104 deliveries against India in Gwalior.
Root completes 1,000 ODI runs vs India
Root also became the third England batter to score 1,000 or more ODI runs against India. Root now has 1,026 runs from 27 ODIs, averaging 51.30, including three tons and six fifties. Other England batters on the list are Ian Bell (1,163 runs) and Kevin Pietersen (1,138 runs).
In the third ODI of the series at Lord’s, London, he may get closer to Pietersen or surpass him as well if he scores a century.