'Living my boyhood dream of captaining' - Joe Root after becoming most successful captain in England's Test history

Joe Root bettered Michael Vaughan’s record of 26 Test wins to become the most successful captain of England, as his team defeated India by an innings and 76 runs in the third Test at Headingley.

The thumping victory in Leeds was Root’s 27th as a skipper, as he eclipsed multiple former England stars including Vaughan (26), Andrew Strauss (24) and Alastair Cook (24) in terms of most number of wins by an England Test captain.

“As I mentioned before the game, I’m living my boyhood dream of captaining England. It’s something that I dreamt of doing from being really small,” Root said after England’s victory on August 28.

“I couldn’t be more proud to have gone past Vaughan but you don’t do that on your own as a captain, it’s down to the group of players and the coaching staff as well.”

We took advantage of the conditions on day one: Joe Root

Root lauded the entire team after a clinical show through which England levelled the five-match series 1-1. “I’m really proud of the way they have done that this week. I sat here now 1-1 with a big, smiley dressing-room and two big games ahead of us.”

The skipper was also all praises about England openers Haseeb Hameed and Rory Burns, who provided the team a solid start courtesy their 135-run stand. “I think it was almost a turning point in the game for me, to have such a substantial first partnership was exceptional.

“Credit to those two lads, under the pump last week and to come out and perform like that was brilliant. It really set the game up. We held the game really well.”

Root further opened up regarding England’s often-criticized rest and rotation policy. “It’s been a very challenging period throughout my tenure as captain, there has been a lot to contend with, a lot around the games, and not necessarily all the full focus has been on the field,” he said.

“But that’s part and parcel of the job. I haven’t put a time limit on it. As long as I am enjoying it, as long as we feel like we are moving in the right direction and that I am the right man for it in my own mind, I am more than happy to keep doing it.”