Ollie Pope Backs Joe Root to Surpass Sachin Tendulkar's Test Run Record

In a recent match at Old Trafford, Ollie Pope expressed his belief that Joe Root could surpass Sachin Tendulkar's Test run record after Root's impressive innings of 150 runs. Root's performance not only solidified his position as the second-highest run scorer in Test history but also showcased his dominance against India, where he has now scored 12 centuries. Meanwhile, England captain Ben Stokes faced physical challenges during the match but reached a significant milestone of 11,000 runs in international cricket. This article delves into the highlights of the match and the players' performances.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 26, 2025, 02:22 IST

Root's Remarkable Achievement

In a thrilling match at Old Trafford, England's Ollie Pope expressed confidence that Joe Root could potentially surpass the legendary Sachin Tendulkar's record for the most runs in Test cricket. This comes after Root recently overtook former Australian captain Ricky Ponting, securing his position as the second-highest run scorer in Test history.

A Stellar Performance

Root's impressive innings of 150 runs off 248 balls, featuring 14 boundaries, was pivotal for England. Pope remarked on the significance of Root's performance, stating, "That knock was exactly what the team required. He played flawlessly, not giving away any chances and executing his game plan perfectly."

Root's Record Against India

Continuing to excel against India, Root has now scored 12 centuries against them, surpassing Steve Smith's record. Notably, he has achieved nine Test hundreds at home against India, the highest by any player against a single opponent in home Tests, breaking Don Bradman's previous record.

Ben Stokes' Physical Struggles

Pope also addressed the physical challenges faced by England captain Ben Stokes, who experienced cramping in his leg during the match. He noted that Stokes has been pushing his limits throughout the series, particularly with his bowling workload.

Stokes' Milestone and Match Progress

In his innings against India, Stokes reached a significant milestone, amassing 11,000 runs in international cricket across all formats. He ended Day 3 of the fourth Test unbeaten on 77, contributing to England's total of 544/7, leading by 186 runs.

Match Overview

Starting the day at 225/2, England's Ollie Pope and Joe Root built a century partnership, following strong performances from openers Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley. Despite losing a few wickets, Root's innings helped solidify England's position in the match.

India's First Innings

Earlier, India batted first after losing the toss, scoring 358 runs with notable contributions from Sai Sudharsan, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Rishabh Pant. Stokes was instrumental in restricting India's scoring, taking five wickets.