Joe Root Eyes Sachin Tendulkar's Test Runs Record Amid Stellar Form

The Pursuit of Tendulkar's Record

Indian cricket enthusiasts are increasingly anxious about the possibility of Sachin Tendulkar’s monumental record of 15,921 Test runs being surpassed. This once-unthinkable scenario is now on the horizon, as former England captain Joe Root has concluded the Ashes series with an impressive total of 13,943 runs, averaging 51.07. He stands just 1,978 runs shy of Tendulkar, making him the closest active player to this legendary milestone.

Given Root's remarkable form since 2021, the 35-year-old is likely to eclipse Tendulkar's record in under two years. England's schedule includes six Tests in 2026, featuring three matches at home against New Zealand and Pakistan. If the pitches remain conducive to batting and England continues their aggressive 'bazball' approach, Root will have 31 innings to reach Tendulkar’s final tally.

Despite this potential achievement, Tendulkar's legacy remains unparalleled. The last player to approach his record was Alastair Cook, who retired in 2018 with 12,472 runs from 161 Tests.

In the past four years, Root has amassed 5,954 runs, including 24 centuries across 66 matches, boasting an average of 54.49. His exceptional performance coincides with a downturn in Virat Kohli’s Test career, where Kohli has only managed two centuries during this timeframe. Root has not only surpassed Kohli but has also outperformed the so-called Big Three—Steve Smith, Virat Kohli, and Kane Williamson—in both runs and centuries.

While many cricket fans regard Australian Steve Smith as the top Test batsman due to his higher average of 56.05, Root's total runs (13,943 in 298 innings) reflect his extensive experience.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan believes Root will indeed break Tendulkar's record, but the key question remains whether he will still be playing in the next Ashes series in Australia. Ravi Shastri, the former Indian captain, also supports the notion that Root has both time and form on his side, estimating he has around 40 innings left to mount a serious challenge to the record.

The saying that batting is a self-serving endeavor that ultimately benefits the team is particularly relevant for Root. Out of his 41 Test centuries, 24 have been scored at home in England, with additional centuries in India (5), New Zealand, Sri Lanka, and the West Indies (3 each), and two each in Pakistan and Australia. Notably, 26 of these centuries have contributed to winning matches.

Root's batting style is characterized by elegant cover drives and sweeping shots, but it is his unconventional reverse scoop that has brought him success in the Indian subcontinent. He boasts an impressive batting average of 49.05 in India, along with a bowling average of 23.50.

Critics argue that Root sometimes struggles against the elite bowlers of his era, such as Pat Cummins and Jasprit Bumrah, who have dismissed him 13 times each, while Mitchell Starc has claimed his wicket 11 times. Cummins and Starc have particularly impacted Root's performance in Australia, especially during the Ashes series, where he finally scored two centuries this time around. His first century came at the Gabba in Brisbane during the second Test on December 4, 2025, after a long wait of 14 Tests since his debut 13 years ago.

Joe Root is undoubtedly England's most accomplished batter and is on track to be recognized as an all-time great. However, whether he will be considered the Greatest Of All Time remains to be seen.

Most Runs in Test Cricket

Player              Innings           Runs           Avg             100s

S Tendulkar            329                 15,921         53.78           51

J Root                      298                 13,943         51.07           41

R Ponting                287                 13,378          51.85          41

J Kallis                    280                 13,289          55.37          45