Sachin Tendulkar Lauds Joe Root's Test Cricket Journey

In a recent Reddit AMA, cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar praised England's Joe Root for his impressive Test career and his pursuit of Tendulkar's run record. Tendulkar shared his admiration for Root since his debut in 2012 and suggested innovative changes to the ODI format to enhance competition. With Root nearing the record, Tendulkar's insights shed light on the evolving landscape of cricket and the need for balance in the game. Discover more about Tendulkar's thoughts on Root and his vision for ODI cricket.

By Narendra Chaudhary Nov 3, 2026, 23:45 IST

Tendulkar's High Praise for Root

In a recent interaction on Reddit, Indian cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar expressed his admiration for England's captain Joe Root, who is on the verge of breaking Tendulkar's long-standing record for the most runs in Test cricket. Tendulkar has held Root in high regard since his debut in 2012.

Root, who currently ranks as the second-highest run-scorer in Test history, has amassed 14,278 runs over 169 matches and 309 innings, leaving him just 1,643 runs shy of Tendulkar's record of 15,921 runs from 200 matches and 329 innings.

When asked about Root's pursuit of his record, Tendulkar remarked, "I have always rated him very highly, and it was clear to me from his first Test match that he was destined for greatness!"

Root made his Test debut against India in December 2012 during the Nagpur Test, where he scored 73 runs in the first innings and remained not out on 20 in the second, resulting in a draw.

In addition to praising Root, Tendulkar mentioned his favorite non-Indian batsmen, which include Harry Brook from England and Australia's Steve Smith.

Tendulkar also proposed a fresh approach to the One-Day International (ODI) format, suggesting that the 50-over game be divided into two innings of 25 overs each for both teams. He emphasized that the format should maintain 10 wickets for the entire 50 overs and utilize a single ball throughout the match.

"My idea is straightforward. Divide the 50 overs into two innings of 25 each while keeping 10 wickets for the full duration and using just one ball. This would keep the competition between bat and ball engaging and allow both teams to bat and bowl under similar conditions, thus balancing the game. We need to take action before bowlers become obsolete," he stated.