Joe Root: Unbeaten masterclass rewrites Lord’s ODI history with a stunning display of batting across the three-match ODI series against India in July 2026. Root remained unbeaten in all three innings, accumulating 249 runs without being dismissed, breaking multiple records along the way. His scores of 76, 99, and 74 made him the first England batter to achieve six consecutive ODI half-centuries, and he now holds the record for most runs in a bilateral ODI series without losing his wicket.
Joe Root’s consistency was the backbone of England’s success. In the first ODI at Edgbaston, he rescued England from a precarious 107/6, guiding them to 258. In the second ODI at Cardiff, he anchored a tricky 234-run chase after England slipped to 125/5, finishing unbeaten on 99 as Gus Atkinson hit the winning runs. These innings demonstrated his ability to adapt to different match situations. Joe Root’s record now surpasses Jos Buttler’s 248 against the Netherlands in 2022 and Ricky Ponting’s 241 against New Zealand in 2007.
The third ODI at Lord’s saw a different side of Joe Root. He shifted gears brilliantly in the death overs, combining with Jos Buttler in an 82-run stand in the final five overs. Root’s 74 off just 48 balls propelled England to a massive 387/3, the highest ODI total at Lord’s, breaking a 51-year-old record. The Indian bowling attack, featuring Arshdeep Singh and Prasidh Krishna, had no answers to Root’s late assault.
Joe Root’s unbeaten masterclass throughout the series reaffirms his status as one of England’s greatest ODI batters. His ability to rescue his team and accelerate when needed made him the player of the series. With such form, Root remains a vital asset for England in limited-overs cricket.