Not too long ago, Joe Root was the quiet one in the Fab Four — the one with the classical technique, but not the fireworks. While Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, and Kane Williamson were racking up tons, Root seemed like the guy playing catch-up.
Fast forward to 2025, and it’s Joe Root who’s doing the chasing, not of his Fab Four rivals, but of Sachin, Kallis, and Ponting.
From Fourth to First Among the Fab Four
Let’s rewind to 2020.
At that point, the Fab Four’s Test century count looked like this:
| Player | Test Centuries |
|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | 27 |
| Steve Smith | 26 |
| Kane Williamson | 21 |
| Joe Root | 17 |
Root was behind everyone. His critics were loud. His numbers were solid, but not sparkling.
But between 2020 and now, he’s been on a mission.
As of August 2025, here’s how the leaderboard looks:
| Player | Test Centuries in 2025 |
|---|---|
| Joe Root | 39 |
| Steve Smith | 36 |
| Kane Williamson | 33 |
| Virat Kohli | 30 |
Root has scored 22 centuries in just five years — more than Kohli and Smith combined over the same period. That’s not just a purple patch — that’s a legacy run.
Where Root Stands in Test History Now
With 39 Test centuries, Joe Root is now the fourth-highest century-maker in Test cricket history, behind just these three icons:
| Player | Test Hundreds |
|---|---|
| Sachin Tendulkar | 51 |
| Jacques Kallis | 45 |
| Ricky Ponting | 41 |
| Joe Root | 39 |
That’s it. That’s the list.
He’s now passed legends like Rahul Dravid (36), Sunil Gavaskar (34), Brian Lara (34) — and even Steve Smith (36), who once looked untouchable.
Root’s Record-Breaking Run
In just the past few weeks, Root has added multiple new milestones to his name:
-
First player to cross 6,000 runs in the World Test Championship
-
Most Test centuries at home (24) — overtaking Ponting, Jayawardene, and Kallis
-
13 Test hundreds against India — the most by any batter against them in history
-
Joint-most 50+ scores in fourth innings of Tests — with 13 such knocks
These aren’t just random stats — they reflect his longevity, adaptability, and consistency, especially under pressure.
What About the Others?
Kohli, once the front-runner, has only moved from 27 to 30 Test tons since 2020 — a slow stretch for a player who once dominated the format. Williamson and Smith have added 12 and 10 tons, respectively, but neither has matched Root’s run.
Root isn’t just topping a group of peers anymore — he’s climbing a much bigger mountain, chasing names etched in cricket folklore.
Final Thought
Joe Root may not be loud. He may not trend on social media with dramatic celebrations or verbal duels. But quietly and relentlessly, he’s turned the narrative.
From being the fourth name in the Fab Four…
…to becoming one of the top four century-makers in Test history.
That’s not just a comeback.
That’s a legacy.
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