Joe Root Smashes Hundred In ODIs After 2083 Days

England’s most-trustable batter Joe Root has finally scored an ODI century after 2083 days. The right-hander batter, who last hit a ton in the 50-over format in June 2019, crafted his 17th hundred in Match 8 of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 against Afghanistan on February 26 (Wednesday).

Root scored 100* off 94 balls against West Indies in Southampton in 2019. Between this period, Root featured in 39 ODIs and scored 1123 runs at an average of 34.03. He did hit 10 fifties but not once managed to touch the triple-figure mark.

With England chasing a target of 326 in a must-win game against Afghanistan, they desperately needed runs from Root and the 34-year-old didn’t disappoint. Despite wickets falling from the other end, Root looked compact from the word go and completed his ton off in 98 deliveries.

In the process, Root also became the second England batter to slam multiple centuries in the Champions Trophy. The right-hander hit 133* against Bangladesh in the 2017 edition. Apart from Root, Marcus Trescothick is the other England batter with two tons in the tournament.

Root scored 120 off 111 deliveries, studded with 11 fours and a six, before falling to Azmatullah Omarzai.

This was the 11th ton in the Champions Trophy 2025, the most in a single edition of the competition.