Joe Root R. He has produced a brilliant piece of work as he brings up his 20th ODI century at the Premadasa Stadium. The series decider against Sri Lanka is very risky. On a Colombo surface that has challenged the batsmen all week, Root displayed his supreme technical proficiency, reaching the milestone by flicking a ball through mid-wicket and sparking jubilant celebrations in the England camp. The innings marks a historic return to form for the veteran in the 50-over format, as he becomes the first Englishman to reach 20 centuries in One Day Internationals.
Masterclass in Colombo: Joe Root’s 20th ODI century takes England to huge total against Sri Lanka
In the crucial third ODI on Tuesday, Root opened the English innings with an impeccable display of subcontinental batting. England won the toss and decided to bat first, after which they had to face pressure from the Lankan spinners, but the arrival of Root changed the course of the game. Combining his signature late cuts with consistent use of the sweep shot, he overcame a difficult period jacob bethel (65) To recreate the innings. Root completed his century by hugging the captain in the 45th over. harry brook As the Colombo crowd rose in applause. His innings of 101* at that time, supported by an aggressive cameo from Brook, took England to a strong score of 269/3 with five overs remaining, setting the stage for a spectacular finish.
Earlier in the series, Root had been the only bright spot for the visitors, scoring a fighting half-century in the first match and a match-winning 75 in the second. However, this century in the decider feels like a sure statement ahead of the T20 World Cup. Root has further distanced himself from other players by reaching 20 ODI centuries eoin morgan And marcus trescothick in England’s all-time list, cementing his position as the country’s greatest multi-format batsman. As the pitch begins to offer more turn and uneven bounce, Root’s century may have provided England with enough runs to chase down the Sri Lankan target under lights.
Here’s how fans reacted:
🚨Hundred for Joe Root🚨
Joe Root scored a brilliant century in this decisive ODI match against Sri Lanka, this is his 20th ODI century.
– What a sensational century from Joe Root. 🫡 pic.twitter.com/ODomHFv14G
– Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) 27 January 2026
Can Joe Root also break Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 100 centuries? He is just 35 years old, super fit and playing two formats.
-Vivek (@Hailkohli18) 27 January 2026
Root just works on a different planet, right? What a knock, again
– Matty (@mattylufc_) 27 January 2026
ROOOOOOOOOOT👏👏Another brilliant 100 from Joe Root, off exactly 100 balls, even on a tough pitch…that’s it🐐 #SLvENG #SLvsENG
– Bluenosebear⚽️🏏🐻💙 (@YouBearsssssss) 27 January 2026
20th ODI century of all-time great batsman Joe Root. Joe Root’s ODI Peak 2.0 keeps getting better. Taking England forward as always. unrealistic consistency pic.twitter.com/T7iLlPdTyB
– Aryan Goel (@Aryan42832Goel) 27 January 2026
This is his 6th international century @root66 🤯
Once again he is showing his class with an excellent innings#SLvENG pic.twitter.com/y4XD4GDOUR
– PCA (@PCA) 27 January 2026
This is what he does👑#SLvENG pic.twitter.com/jlSHe5RLaT
– England’s Barmy Army 🏴Ԡ emotional 27 January 2026
Joe Root joins the list of batsmen to score 20 or more 100 runs in Tests and ODIs
Sachin
Ponting
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staff
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Kohli
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*Root pic.twitter.com/aruVpY8NVW– Prithvi (@Prithvi10_) 27 January 2026
🚨Most international centuries for England 🚨
Joe Root- 61*
Alastair Cook – 38 pic.twitter.com/ga4C0yueCe
– Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) 27 January 2026
Joe Root’s 2nd ODI century#Cricket #SLvsENG #jroot #crickettwitter pic.twitter.com/CMK9QrtIcA
– CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) 27 January 2026
Also read: SL vs ENG: This is why Rehan Ahmed is opening the innings in today’s 3rd ODI in Colombo
Root and Harry Brook carnage forces England to 357/3 in 3rd ODI against Sri Lanka
The final match of the series turned into a masterclass of subcontinental batting as Root and Brook dismantled the Sri Lankan attack with record-breaking double centuries. Root, who had already scored two fifties in the series, played the anchor role with perfection before picking up the pace late on, remaining unbeaten on 110. His 20th century makes him the first Englishman to reach the milestone, further cementing his status as the greatest batsman in the country’s history.
At the other end, Brook was absolutely unstoppable, racing from fifty to hundred in just 17 balls during the late innings which included eight fours and six sixes. His final score of 136* propelled England to cross the 300 mark for the first time in an ODI in Sri Lanka, surpassing the previous record of 298.
Which was led by Sri Lankan bowlers Wanindu Hasaranga And Dunith VillageThere was little joy to be found on a pitch that looked much flatter than the dangerous surfaces of the first two matches. First, jacob bethel Provided a significant spark with Fluent 65 after the initial departure of ben duckett And Rehan AhmedAllows root to settle and speed to be controlled. As the game shifted to the second innings, the huge load of runs, 357, looked set to overwhelm the Sri Lankan top order.
See also: Sri Lanka unveils ICC T20 World Cup 2026 trophy in spectacular style at R Premadasa Stadium
