Joe Root becomes England’s most decorated captain and admits he’s ‘proud’ to surpass Michael Vaughan

Joe Root admitted he is living his boyhood dream after England’s clinical demolition of India in Leeds saw him overtake Michael Vaughan as his nation’s most successful Test captain.

England’s series-levelling innings-and-76-run victory in the third Test was Root’s 27th in 55 matches since taking on the job in 2017, overtaking the previous record of 26 wins held by 2005 Ashes-winning captain Vaughan.

‘I’m living my boyhood dream, captaining England,’ said Root. ‘It’s something I dreamed of doing from being really small. This is a great group of players, who are very talented and dedicated to becoming better.

Michael Vaughan was the previous holder, the captain for England’s iconic 2005 Ashes win 

‘I couldn’t be prouder to have gone past Michael. 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. It’s all one big thing. 

‘You’re the one making the decisions but they are the ones time and time again putting in performances. I’m really proud of the way they have done that this week.

‘It was a very clinical performance. We’re sat here now at 1-1, with a big smiley dressing room and two big games ahead of us.’

Vaughan paid tribute to the England captain. ‘Joe is tough,’ he said. ‘He might have that lovely smile, but inside there’s a lot of steel. The only feather that is left for Joe to put in his cap is that little urn. 

‘I’ve said from day one, he’s done everything the same as me. Same club, same county at Yorkshire. He’s nicked everything from me bar my wife!’

England came back to level the series against India at 1-1 after third Test victory at Headingley 

Root is four matches short of Alastair Cook’s record of leading in England in 59 Tests and said he would ‘not put a time limit’ on how long he continues.

‘It’s been very challenging throughout my tenure as captain,’ said Root. ‘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.

‘But that’s part and parcel of the job. 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.’

His counterpart Virat Kohli said: ‘When you’ve played for so long at this level you understand these things happen in cricket. We didn’t have enough runs on the board and when you give too much away with the ball it’s very difficult to get back into the game.

‘The guys in the dressing room are disappointed and hurt and the word “hurt” is very important because it propels you to correct the mistakes.’