Having made his 67th fifty-plus score in ODIs, Root looked certain to convert that to a 21st century. With 12 needed from the last eight overs, Root was on 97. After Root took a single off the start of the 43rd over – Bumrah’s last – Atkinson then faced all but one ball of the next, taking a single off the final delivery.

Root’s celebrations were raw, almost hammed up to underline the importance of winning the match ahead of a personal milestone.

“I wouldn’t have taken that single in the second-last over,” India captain Shubman Gill told BBC Test Match Special when asked how he would have felt in Root’s position. The man himself, however, was nonplussed on missing out on three figures.

“I told him to just get it done,” said Root. “If they want to set fields like that and give us a chance to win the game, then let’s take it. It’s all about winning and there’s no better feeling in cricket than being there at the end you chase something down.”

Root subsequently became the first Englishman to finish 99 not out in ODIs, and sixth across formats at international level. He is the 17th man to achieve that feat – for better or worse – in all men’s ODIs.

“I don’t even know if I have been 99 not out [before],” mused Root.

The key, as well as the win, is setting up what should be a high-pressure series decider at Lord’s on Sunday. And showing a team that tries to push the envelope that winning ugly still has its charm.

“It would’ve felt a lot worse if we’d lost,” Root added. “That’s why you play to win. And for us to have that carrot ahead of us winning at Lord’s and the chance to beat the number one team in the world is really exciting.

“I’m delighted that we found a way of doing it ugly and doing it in a way that probably doesn’t suit a lot of the other guys and what they’re used to doing and how they’re used to playing. It shapes us up really well with what’s to come, and a great experience of a big pressure game ahead of a World Cup in 2027.”