Joe Root, one of the finest modern-day Test cricketers, etched another remarkable milestone into his illustrious career when he achieved his career-best ICC Test batting rating during England’s series against India in early 2025. Root’s exceptional form with the bat not only reaffirmed his status as a mainstay of the England Test side but also placed him among the highest-rated Test batters in the history of the game.
This rating peak came on the back of a consistently dominant run over the past 18 months, during which Root led England’s charge with the bat across challenging series at home and away. With his elegant stroke play, calm temperament, and ability to bat long hours under pressure, Root has not just piled up numbers but has inspired England’s Test revival.
The Rating Milestone
In February 2025, following a match-winning double century against India in the first Test at Rajkot, Joe Root’s ICC Test batting rating climbed to 923 points—the highest of his career and one of the top 15 ratings ever recorded in ICC Test rankings history.
This rating saw him leapfrog multiple contemporaries and legends, placing him in elite company alongside the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Steve Smith, Kane Williamson, and Jacques Kallis. For England, this marked the highest rating by a batter since Sir Len Hutton in the 1950s, underlining Root’s greatness in the format.
Series Performance That Shaped the Rating
Root’s sublime form in India was the defining factor behind the rating spike. In the five-match Test series, he scored:
- 227 in the first Test
- 85 and 48 in the second Test
- A gritty 144 in the third Test
- Followed by scores of 61 and 103 not out in the fourth and fifth matches.
He amassed a total of 668 runs in the series at an average of 95.4, dominating a bowling lineup that included world-class spinners and in-form pacers. His technique against spin on turning tracks was especially praised, with pundits calling it a “masterclass in footwork and patience.”
Consistency Across Formats, But a Test Titan First
While Root has had respectable performances in ODIs and T20s, his contribution to Test cricket remains unmatched. Since relinquishing England’s Test captaincy in 2022, he has found a renewed freedom in his batting. His form from 2023 onwards has seen him score:
- Over 1,700 Test runs in 2023
- Nearly 1,300 runs in 2024, including five centuries
- Already over 500 runs in the first quarter of 2025
With more away tours lined up, Root is expected to become only the second English batter to cross 12,000 Test runs, after Alastair Cook.
Reactions From the Cricketing World
Cricketing legends and analysts have applauded Root’s feat. Former India captain Rahul Dravid, in a post-match show, commented:
“What Joe Root has achieved is extraordinary. To play such an innings in Indian conditions speaks volumes of his class and preparation. His 923 rating is a testament to not just one good series, but sustained brilliance over time.”
Even Root himself, when asked about the rating in a press conference, downplayed the personal milestone but expressed satisfaction about contributing to the team’s success.
“Personal records are nice, but what really matters is putting the team in winning positions. If my runs help England win in tough places like India, that’s what I’ll remember at the end of the day.”
A Legacy Taking Shape
Joe Root’s rise to a career-best rating is not just a statistic—it is the culmination of years of hard work, evolution, and cricketing maturity. Having debuted in 2012, Root has been part of England’s journey through highs and lows. From the Ashes battles to overseas conquests in Sri Lanka and South Africa, and now dominating the subcontinent in 2025, Root’s career is becoming a template for future generations of batters.
As he closes in on legendary milestones—12,000 runs, 30 Test hundreds, and possibly the No. 1 ICC ranking—Joe Root’s legacy as one of the finest Test batters of his era is firmly cemented.