Ollie Pope Predicts Joe Root Could Surpass Sachin Tendulkar's Test Runs Record

Pope's Confidence in Root's Potential

Ollie Pope, the England batter, expressed his belief that Joe Root has the potential to surpass the legendary Sachin Tendulkar's record to become the highest run-scorer 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.

Root's Remarkable Performance at Old Trafford

Root achieved this milestone during the fourth Test match at Old Trafford, where he scored an impressive 150 runs off 248 balls, including 14 boundaries, before being dismissed by Ravindra Jadeja, the top-ranked all-rounder.

Pope Praises Root's Enthusiasm and Skill

"If his body permits, I believe he will continue to play with great enthusiasm. The way he is batting suggests he is driven to reach the top, but more importantly, he enjoys playing as long as possible," Pope remarked during a media interaction.

He further commended Root's flawless innings, stating, "Today’s performance was exactly what the team required. He played without giving away chances and showcased his skill. His training and the runs he is accumulating are truly remarkable, making him a pleasure to watch."

Root's Record Against India

Root has consistently excelled against India, recently surpassing Steve Smith's record for the most centuries against the Indian team, now totaling 12 centuries. Additionally, he holds the record for the most Test hundreds at home against India, with nine centuries, surpassing the legendary Don Bradman's eight against England.

Ben Stokes's Fitness Update

Pope also provided insights into Ben Stokes's fitness, noting that the England captain experienced cramping in his leg, likely due to the physical demands of the series. He mentioned that Stokes has been pushing his limits with the amount of bowling he has done.

"It seems he is just cramping, and it has spread throughout his leg. This is likely due to the intensity of his bowling over the past few weeks, especially since we still have another game to play," Pope explained.

Stokes's Milestone and Match Progress

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

Despite experiencing leg issues, Stokes returned to bat alongside Liam Dawson, who scored 21 runs, ensuring England maintained their advantage.

Day 3 Match Summary

On Day 3, England began at 225/2, with Ollie Pope and Joe Root at the crease. They formed a century partnership, building on the strong performances of openers Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley, who scored 94 and 84 runs, respectively.

In the second session, while Washington Sundar took two wickets, Stokes and Root continued to dominate, with Root achieving his 38th Test century. England concluded the second session at 433/4, with Stokes and Root still batting.

Root's dismissal by Jadeja for 150 runs came after England had reached 528/7. Earlier, India had scored 358 runs, with notable contributions from Sai Sudharsan, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Rishabh Pant, while Stokes claimed five wickets.