Joe Root shatters ODI record with unbeaten trio at Lord's

Joe Root rewrote ODI history on 24 July 2026, remaining unbeaten across all three matches at Lord's and amassing 249 runs-the highest tally without losing a wicket in a bilateral series.

What happened?

In the third ODI of the England‑India series, Root partnered with Jos Buttler for an 82‑run stand in the final five overs, pushing England to a record 387/3. The total eclipsed a 51‑year‑old Lord's benchmark. Earlier, he rescued England from 107/6 in the first game with a steady 76* and then anchored a 99* chase in the second, falling just short of a century as Gus Atkinson hit the winning runs.

How did the record compare?

Root’s 249 runs without dismissal tops Jos Buttler’s 248* against the Netherlands in 2022 and Ricky Ponting’s 241* versus New Zealand in 2007. The previous record had stood for 19 years. By staying not out in three consecutive innings, Root also became the first England batter to notch six straight ODI half‑centuries.

Why it matters for Root’s career?

The achievement cements Root’s reputation as a versatile batsman who can translate Test class into limited‑overs dominance. It also boosts his standing in England’s ODI hierarchy, positioning him as a reliable anchor for future series. The consistency shown at Lord’s may influence selection decisions ahead of the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

What’s next for England and India?

England will look to build on the massive total, while India must regroup after a series‑defining defeat. Both sides have a packed schedule in the summer, with England set to host New Zealand next week. Root’s form suggests he will be a key figure in any chase or defence that follows.

Who featured in the line‑ups?

India fielded Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (c), Virat Kohli, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Axar Patel, Gurnoor Brar, Prince Yadav, Arshdeep Singh and Prasidh Krishna. England’s XI included Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook (c), Jos Buttler (wk), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid and Josh Tongue.