In a game that so often idolises the spectacular and the brash, Joe Root's journey reminds us that true greatness is forged in patience, humility, and the relentless pursuit of self-improvement.

Joe Root made history during Day 3 of the 4th Test against India, becoming the second highest run-getter in the history of the format.

The elegant Root, 34, is a throwback to a different era of batting, an orthodox "touch" player who does not need to smash the ball around to score quickly. Former England captain Alastair Cook hailed him as "England's greatest" and a "genius" when he surpassed his own record tally of 33 Test hundreds for England last year.

Born in December 1990, more than a year after Sachin Tendulkar made his iconic Test debut in Karachi, England's Joe Root grew up doing what most cricket-loving kids of his generation did -- trying to copy the Little Master.

Joe Root moved to second in the all-time top run scorer charts to help England surpass India's first innings total on day three of the fourth test at Old Trafford, the hosts 433-4 at tea on Friday, leading by 75 runs.

The prolific Joe Root on Friday surpassed Australian legend Ricky Ponting's tally to become the second highest run-getter in the history of Test cricket and next in sight of the England batter is Indi