Joe Root's Historic Century Sparks Debate Over Sachin Tendulkar's Record
Joe Root Shines in Ashes 2025
Former England captain and seasoned batsman Joe Root made headlines by scoring his inaugural century on Australian soil during the Ashes 2025 Pink-Ball Test at the Gabba in Brisbane. After a disappointing start to his fourth Ashes series, where he was dismissed cheaply, including a duck in the first Test at Optus Stadium in Perth, Root made a remarkable comeback.
In the Pink-Ball Test, he achieved his first international century in Australia, remaining unbeaten with a score of 138 runs off 206 balls, which included 15 fours and a six. This performance helped the England team reach 334 runs in their first innings. Despite having scored nine fifties in his last three tours to Australia, Root had struggled to convert those into a century until now.
After a long wait of 12 years, Root finally broke the streak of near misses, silencing critics who doubted his ability to score big in Australian conditions. Alongside his century, he also crossed the milestone of 1000 Test runs in Australia, marking a significant personal achievement that had eluded him in previous Ashes series.
Chasing Sachin Tendulkar's Record
While Root's century was a significant achievement, it also sparked discussions about his pursuit of Sachin Tendulkar's all-time Test run record. Tendulkar holds the record with 15,921 runs, including 51 centuries and 68 fifties, at an impressive average of 53.78 over 200 Test matches.
With his recent innings of 138, Root's total red-ball runs have now reached 13,689, comprising 40 centuries and 55 fifties, with an average of 51.46 across 161 matches. The gap between Root and Tendulkar has narrowed to just 2,232 runs, igniting debates on whether Root can surpass the legendary Indian batsman's record, which has stood for a decade.
"He’s got Sachin Tendulkar in his sights!" remarked Steve Finn, highlighting the potential for Root to continue his impressive form.
Indian Fans Monitor Root's Progress
As Tendulkar's record becomes increasingly attainable, Indian cricket fans are closely observing Joe Root's performance in the ongoing Ashes 2025 series. Following his poor showing in the Perth Test, many felt relieved, but his century in Brisbane has reignited concerns about the possibility of him challenging Tendulkar's legacy.
Fans are now treating each of Root's innings with heightened scrutiny, hoping for his failure to maintain Tendulkar's record. Comments on social media reflect this sentiment, with many expressing their desire for Root to struggle in future matches.
Some fans argue that Tendulkar's records are untouchable, emphasizing the uniqueness of his achievements, including debuting at the age of 16.
The Future of Joe Root in Test Cricket
Since Tendulkar's retirement in 2013, only Joe Root and Steve Smith have crossed the 10,000-run mark in Test cricket. Root's consistency has positioned him as a serious contender to challenge Tendulkar's record. However, the significant gap of 2,232 runs means Root will need to maintain exceptional form to have a chance at overtaking the Indian legend.
Since January 2023, Root has scored 3,060 runs, including 12 centuries and 11 fifties, averaging 60.00 in 33 matches. This year alone, he has accumulated 717 runs, with four centuries and a fifty, at an average of 65.18 in just eight matches. With more matches scheduled, including six Tests next year, Root has ample opportunities to further close the gap on Tendulkar's record.
At 34 years old, Root still has a few years left in his international career, and his current form suggests he could realistically challenge Tendulkar's iconic milestone.