With a characteristic glide through point for one, Joe Root entered rarefied territory. He is now the second-highest run-scorer in Test match history, after overtaking Ricky Ponting, Jacques Kallis and Rahul Dravid on day three in Old Trafford.

Root was given his Test cap by Collingwood in India—and it was no coincidence. Root became the fielder with the most catches in Test cricket. His career is not just an offshoot of its own; it's linked with legends and history.

The 34-year-old surpassed three legends in one day as he cemented his place among the greats – and helped England strengthen their lead

Joe Root, during a superb innings of exactly 150 in the fourth Test against India at Old Trafford, went from fifth to second in the list of the highest run-scorers in Test cricket.

On day 3, in the fourth innings of the fourth Test at Old Trafford, Joe Root accidentally smacked Mohammed Siraj's wristbandwith his bat while stealing a run. This happened in the 52nd ball, when a ball from Siraj hit his pads.

The Yorkshireman surpassed Ricky Ponting’s tally of 13,378 runs on Friday, day three of the fourth Test against India, and now sits at 13,409 runs from 157 Tests -- behind only Tendulkar’s towering 15,921. Root made his Test debut in the 2012 Nagpur Test, a series that marked the twilight of Tendulkar’s career.

England will need eight wickets not seven with a hobbling Rishabh Pant batting with broken foot a real possibility, and this pitch is not wearing that much, so lot of work to do, according to Nasser Hussain.

In a game that so often idolises the spectacular and the brash, Joe Root's journey reminds us that true greatness is forged in patience, humility, and the relentless pursuit of self-improvement.