On a memorable Day 2 of the third Test between England and India at Lord's on July 11, 2025, Joe Root etched his name deeper into cricketing history with a remarkable display of fielding brilliance. The England captain took an extraordinary one-handed catch at first slip to dismiss India’s Karun Nair, not only providing a crucial breakthrough for his team but also surpassing a long-standing record held by Indian legend Rahul Dravid.
Root’s catch was his 211th in Test cricket, moving him ahead of Dravid’s tally of 210 catches, making him the most successful outfielder in the format’s history. The catch came at a pivotal moment when Nair and KL Rahul were building a threatening 61-run partnership after India’s early loss of opener Yashasvi Jaiswal for 13 runs, dismissed by Jofra Archer in the second over.
The delivery, bowled by Ben Stokes, was angled awkwardly by England’s captain to create a deceptive line. Nair, who had been batting confidently, edged the ball between Root at first slip and wicketkeeper Jamie Smith. The ball, dying just to the wrong side of Smith, was expertly scooped up by Root as he dived low to his left, snatching the ball inches above the ground with one hand. The umpires, uncertain initially, referred the decision to the third umpire who confirmed the catch was clean, much to the delight of the packed Lord’s crowd.
Former England captain Nasser Hussain, commentating on the moment, praised Root’s feat, saying, “If you are going to break a world record, you might as well do it in style.” Indeed, Root’s catch was not just a record-breaker but a stunning piece of athleticism that swung momentum in England’s favor.
Root’s journey to this milestone was notable. He had equaled Dravid’s record earlier in the series during the first Test at Headingley, Leeds, when he caught Shardul Thakur off Josh Tongue’s bowling. However, it was on this day at Lord’s that Root finally took the record outright with his exceptional grab.
Adding to his remarkable day, Root also surpassed Dravid and Australia’s Steve Smith in the list of most Test centuries. Having ended Day 1 unbeaten on 99, Root started Day 2 by hitting the first ball from India’s Jasprit Bumrah for a boundary, completing his 37th Test century. This century propelled him into the top five of all-time leading centurions in Test cricket, surpassing both Dravid and Smith, who have 36 centuries each.
Root’s innings was a masterclass in patience and skill, accumulating 104 runs off 199 deliveries, including ten boundaries, before being clean bowled by a superb delivery from Bumrah that shattered his middle stump. His knock, combined with half-centuries from teammates Jamie Smith (51) and Brydon Carse (56), helped England post a competitive total of 387 runs in their first innings.
In response, India faced a challenging start. After Jaiswal’s early dismissal, Rahul and Nair steadied the innings with their partnership, but Root’s record-breaking catch ended Nair’s innings at 40, halting India’s momentum. At the close of play, India stood at 74 for 2, still trailing but showing resilience.
The significance of Root’s record cannot be overstated. Before him, only four other players had taken 200 or more catches as outfielders in Test cricket: Rahul Dravid (210), Mahela Jayawardene (205), Steve Smith (200), and Jacques Kallis (200). Root’s 211 catches in just 156 matches highlight his exceptional consistency and sharp reflexes in the slip cordon.
His catch-to-innings ratio of 0.716 also stands out among the elite, underscoring his reliability. For comparison, Dravid’s ratio is 0.697, and Jayawardene’s is 0.759. Root’s fielding prowess complements his batting excellence, making him one of England’s most complete cricketers.
The crowd at Lord’s acknowledged Root’s dual achievements on Day 2 with standing ovations, first for his century and later for his stunning catch. The atmosphere was electric, celebrating a player who continues to raise the bar in Test cricket.
Reflecting on the catch, Root modestly commented, “It was nice just to catch one. There have been plenty of drops in there. It was nice to break that partnership and get things moving in the right direction for us.” His humility belies the magnitude of the moment, showing a leader focused on the team’s success rather than personal milestones.
England’s bowling unit, led by Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer, played a crucial role in setting up these moments. Archer’s early wicket of Jaiswal put India on the back foot, while Stokes’ clever bowling created the chance for Root’s record-breaking catch. The synergy between England’s bowlers and fielders was evident throughout the day.
As the series progresses, England will look to build on this momentum, with Root’s form and leadership pivotal to their success. Meanwhile, India will aim to regroup after the setback, relying on their experienced batsmen to counter England’s challenge.
Joe Root’s achievements on this historic day at Lord’s serve as a reminder of his enduring class and dedication. Breaking Rahul Dravid’s record, a feat many thought untouchable, and moving into the top five for Test centuries, Root has solidified his legacy among cricket’s elite.
With the match still unfolding, cricket fans worldwide will be eager to see how this thrilling contest develops, but one thing is clear: Joe Root’s name is now etched in cricket history as one of the greatest fielders and batsmen the game has ever seen.
