IND vs ENG 5th Test: Joe Root Becomes First Batter to Score 6000 Runs in World Test Championship

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IND vs ENG 5th Test: England's batting mainstay Joe Root added another feather to his illustrious cap on Sunday, becoming the first cricketer in history to score 6000 runs in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC).

The milestone came during Day 4 of the fifth and final Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy between India and England at The Oval.

Root reached the landmark in his 69th WTC appearance, further underlining his consistency in red-ball cricket. Entering England's second innings needing just 25 runs to complete the milestone, Root got there in the 40th over of the innings by driving Mohammed Siraj for a boundary.

Although he was dismissed for 29 in the first innings, the 33-year-old made the most of his second opportunity with the bat, inching closer to several personal milestones along the way.

The former England captain has long been a thorn in India's side, and his numbers against the Asian giants at home speak volumes. Root has notched up nine Test hundreds in England against India - the most by any player at home against a single opposition. No other batter in the history of the game has recorded as many centuries at home versus one team.

Should Root convert his current innings into another three-figure score, he stands to break multiple records. One more home ton would take his tally to 24, putting him ahead of Ricky Ponting, Jacques Kallis, and Mahela Jayawardene, all of whom sit tied with Root on 23 home Test centuries.

Additionally, another century would allow Root to surpass the legendary Jack Hobbs' record of 12 Test hundreds against one opponent. Hobbs had scored all 12 of his centuries against Australia. Root currently shares that mark with his 12 against India.

With England chasing a steep target of 374, Root's contribution will be vital not just in personal glory, but also in pushing his team towards a potential 3-1 series victory - a fitting end to an enthralling contest.