[WATCH] ENG vs IND 2025: Joe Root pays tribute to Graham Thorpe after registering 39th Test ton

Joe Root acknowledged late Graham Thorpe while celebrating his 39th Test ton during Day 4 of the fifth Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025. He took out a headband and worn it after reaching the milestone wearing it while pointing towards the sky. 

Root got to his ton by flicking a length ball to deep-backward square leg for a couple in the 69th over of England's second innings, with the hosts attempting to chase 374 for the win.

The former English legend was Root's mentor and batting coach during the formative phase of his career. The duo enjoyed a healthy bond while spending their time with each other. Notably, Thorpe advocated for Root’s inclusion in the national setup. 

England Cricket@englandcricket

The headband straight on ❤️ "England's present No. 4 will never forget England's previous No. 4, that meant so much to him." 🤝 @IGcom

09:16 PM · Aug 03, 2025

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Earlier in the series, Root surpassed Ricky Ponting to go to second in the leaderboard of the all-time run-scorers in the history of Test cricket. With this 39th century, he eclipsed Kumar Sangakkara's tally of 38 to attain another significant feat.

Root stitched a 195-run stand for the fourth wicket with Harry Brook (111 off 98) to dig England out of a spot of bother into a position of ascendancy while batting together. Both of them complemented each other perfectly to keep India at bay.

The series is on the line with England leading 2-1. India will have lost their second successive Test series by a 3-1 margin if they end on the wrong side of the result at The Oval, having lost by that margin Down Under in the 2024/25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. 

Most centuries in Test matches

Sachin Tendulkar (India) - 51 centuries in 329 innings

Jacques Kallis (South Africa) - 45 centuries in 280 innings

Ricky Ponting (Australia) - 41 centuries in 287 innings

Joe Root (England) - 39 centuries in 288 innings

Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) - 38 centuries in 233 innings