Cook’s 136 not out was his 23rd Test hundred, making him the most prolific ever England century-maker.
In his 86th Test, he passed Wally Hammond’s mark of 22 tonnes in 85 Tests. He also surpassed records of legends including Colin Cowdrey, Geoffrey Boycott and Kevin Peitersen – and at 27, he’s just getting started.
England was replying to India’s 316 all out at Eden Gardens in Calcutta after a stellar performance from their bowlers on day one kept the locals’ score to a minimum on a good batting track.
Essex leftie Cook is also now the youngest batsman to reach 7000 Test runs, knocking Sachin Tendulkar from the top of the list.
Cook has scored centuries in every one of his five Tests as skipper since taking over from former opening partner Andrew Strauss.
“I don’t think it will be such a big deal to him,” said Geoff Boycott on BBC’s Test Match Special. “At his age he’s going to get quite a lot more unless he has a serious illness or injury.
“He’s in the best years of his life and will automatically play, he has a good technique and should be well on the way to 40 hundreds by the time he’s finished.”
If England capitalise on their strong start to the Test, they will go 2-1 up in the series and win their first series in India since 1985.
Cook’s accomplice Nick Compton shared in a 165-run partnership, although was never as comfortable as his skipper on his way to a first Test fifty.
He was out lbw to Pragyan Ojha for 57 from 137 balls.
Number three Jonathan Trott in not out on 21 ahead of day three.
Earlier in the day, England’s bowlers did the job of wrapping up the tail, with Monty Panesar finishing with four scalps, James Anderson with three and Steven Finn and Graeme Swann with one wicket each.
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