In the heart of Multan, where the dust swirls and the heat is unforgiving, Joe Root carved his name into cricket folklore with a double century that resonated far beyond the boundaries of the cricket ground. This wasn’t just another score; it was a statement, a milestone that mirrored the achievements of one of cricket’s modern greats, Virat Kohli.
Joe Root, with his 200 not out, became the first England cricketer to amass 20,000 runs across all formats, joining an elite club where Virat Kohli has been the most recent member. This feat, achieved in only 350 matches, underscores Root’s consistency and longevity in the game, especially when compared to Kohli’s 27,041 runs in 535 matches. Root’s journey to this landmark has been one of resilience, technique, and sheer determination, qualities that have defined his career.
The significance of Root’s double ton in Multan is multi-fold. Firstly, it adds to his tally of double hundreds for England, placing him just behind Walter Hammond with six, showcasing his ability to dominate innings not just at home but across various conditions. His performance in Multan was not just about personal glory; it was a masterclass in batting on a challenging pitch, under pressure, and against a competitive Pakistani bowling attack.
This achievement also highlights Root’s adaptability across formats. While Virat Kohli has been celebrated for his aggressive yet technically sound approach, Root has often been the anchor, the steady hand that guides England through turbulent times. His ability to convert starts into big scores, as seen in Multan, reflects a mental toughness that is rare even among the best.
The comparison with Virat Kohli, however, isn’t just about numbers. It’s about the impact both players have had on their respective teams and the game itself. Kohli’s leadership and aggressive style have transformed Indian cricket, while Root’s understated brilliance has been England’s backbone, especially in Test cricket. Root’s journey to 20,000 runs might not have been as rapid as Kohli’s, but it’s been marked by consistency and a knack for scoring when it mattered most.
Root’s milestone also brings into focus the evolving nature of cricketing careers. In an era where T20 cricket threatens to overshadow the longer formats, Root’s commitment to Test cricket, where he has amassed the bulk of his runs, serves as a reminder of the format’s enduring appeal and challenge. His record-breaking innings in Multan was not just about reaching a personal milestone but also about reinforcing the importance of Test cricket in the modern game.
As Root stood at the crease, nearing and then surpassing his double century, the cricketing world watched not just an individual’s triumph but a testament to the spirit of the game. His achievement, mirroring Kohli’s, isn’t just about the runs scored but about the legacy being built, the standards set, and the inspiration provided to the next generation of cricketers.
In Multan, Joe Root didn’t just score runs; he wrote a chapter in cricket history, one that will be read and remembered for years to come. His journey to 20,000 runs, alongside Kohli, isn’t the end but a continuation of a narrative that celebrates cricket’s greatest gift to its fans – the enduring battle between bat and ball, played out in the most dramatic of arenas.
