India vs England: Joe Root equals Rahul Dravid's record for most catches in Test history
New Delhi: England star Joe Root has equalled India legend Rahul Dravid’s record for most catches taken by an outfield player in Test history. Root achieved the feat during India’s second innings on Day 4 of the ongoing first Test between the two sides at Headingley in Leeds on Monday. Root matched Dravid after taking Shardul Thakur’s catch of Josh Tongue’s bowling in India’s second innings.
The dismissal took place in the 91st over of India’s innings when Shardul was caught by Root at first slip after edging a fullish outside off delivery from Tongue. Shardul departed after scoring 4 off 12 balls as Root plucked his 210th catch in the whites for England. An outstanding fielder, Root went on level terms with Dravid, who took 164 catches as a fielder in Test cricket.
210 Joe Root (154 Tests) *
210 Rahul Dravid (164)
205 Mahela Jayawardene (149)
200 Steven Smith (117)
200 Jacques Kallis (166)
While Dravid, who is regarded as one of the best slip catchers of all time, plucked 210 catches in 164 Tests, Root has managed to equal his record in just 154 matches and needs just one more catch to claim the record for the most catches by an outfield player in Test cricket. Sri Lanka legend Mahela Jayawardene is in the third spot behind Root and Rahul, with 205 catches to his name in 149 Test matches.
India rode on centuries from KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant to post 364 runs on the board in their second innings and set England a target of 371 runs in their second innings to win the 1st Test at Headingley. Rahul top-scored for India with a masterful 137-run knock, while Pant slammed a brilliant 118-run knock to help the visitors set up a challenging target for the hosts in the 4th innings.
The duo shared a 195-run stand for the 4th wicket to help India dominate the proceedings in the first two sessions on Day 4. Karun Nair once again failed to impress as he could only manage 20 runs off 54 balls, while Ravindra Jadeja remained unbeaten on 25 to guide India to 364/10 in 96 overs in their second innings.
England have a day and a few overs left on Day 4 to chase down the target, however, it won’t be an easy task for the hosts, who will have to deal with an in-form Jasprit Bumrah in order to pull off a victory.