Cricket fans had reason to cheer as England's star batsman Joe Root secured his 17th One-Day International (ODI) century during the 2025 Champions Trophy, dominating against Afghanistan with 120 runs off just 111 balls. This impressive performance not only marked Root's return to form after 2084 days but also showcased his remarkable consistency on the international stage.
Root's knock came at a pivotal moment for England. The team was struggling after losing two wickets for just 30 runs when Root stepped onto the crease. He calmly partnered with Ben Duckett, contributing 68 runs, and later built another significant partnership of 83 runs with captain Jos Buttler, guiding England to chase down Afghanistan's target of 326 runs.
The match took place at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium, where Afghanistan had set the challenging score of 325 runs after winning the toss and batting first. Afghanistan's Ibrahim Zadran stole the limelight initially with a stunning 177 runs, featuring 12 fours and 6 sixes, leaving the English bowlers to chase a formidable target.
Despite the early setbacks, Root's class shone through as he reached his century off 98 balls, ending his innings at 120, with 11 fours and 1 six. Remarkably, this was Root's second century at the Champions Trophy, having previously scored 133 against Bangladesh in 2017.
This century held additional significance for Root: it marked his first ODI century since 2019, sending fans and cricket analysts abuzz about his return to form. Notably, Root joins the ranks of England's elite, becoming the second player to score multiple centuries in the tournament, sharing this distinction with former player Marcus Trescothick. Trescothick had achieved similar feats by scoring 119 runs against Zimbabwe and 104 against the West Indies.
With this performance, Root also equaled former West Indies legend Brian Lara's tally of 53 international centuries, now sitting joint 8th on the all-time list. Lara achieved this feat across 521 innings, highlighting Root's batting prowess and longevity.
Having played 176 ODIs since his debut back in 2013, Root has amassed over 6700 runs at an average of nearly 50, including 17 centuries and 41 fifties. His highest score remains 133 not out. Remarkably, Root's highest individual score has been against Sri Lanka, where he scored 1178 runs, the most against any team.
Root's return to form has ignited conversations about his batting consistency and the role he plays in the England lineup, especially with the ODI World Cup on the horizon. Fans are hopeful this century paves the way for more impactful performances as England doubles down on its strategies for upcoming matches.
Further statistics highlight the significance of this match. The 2025 Champions Trophy has already seen 11 centuries, the highest number recorded in the tournament's history, surpassing previous records of 10 centuries during the 2017 edition.
With Root now firmly crafted back as England's backbone, cricket stalwarts and ardent fans alike eagerly anticipate whether this resurgence can translate to the team’s overall success as the tournament progresses.