Joe Root has become the second-highest run-scorer in Test cricket. Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar has praised England batter Joe Root as he edges closer to his iconic record in the longest format. Tendulkar described Root’s potential milestone of surpassing 13,000 Test runs as a remarkable achievement.
In recent years, Joe Root has been a powerhouse in Test cricket. The right-hander has consistently delivered, amassing massive runs, breaking records, and setting new benchmarks along the way.
Since stepping down from the Test captaincy, Root has thrived without the burden of leadership. He is now approaching Tendulkar’s record of 15,921 Test runs, which the batting legend achieved over 200 matches.
During the recent Test series against India, Root solidified his status as one of the greats. He scored over 500 runs, finishing as the leading run-scorer for England in the five-match series, which ended in a 2-2 draw.
Currently, Joe Root has amassed 13,543 runs at an average of 51.29, including 39 centuries and 66 fifties. At his current form, breaking Sachin Tendulkar’s record seems well within reach.
“I knew at that moment he would be a big player” – Sachin Tendulkar on Joe Root
Speaking about Joe Root approaching Sachin Tendulkar’s records in Test cricket, Tendulkar recalled the first time he saw the England batter in 2012. He told his teammates that Root had the makings of England’s future star. Even at a young age, Root impressed with his ability to read the pitch and rotate the strike effectively. On Reddit, Tendulkar said:
“To have scored over 13,000 runs is an extraordinary achievement, and he’s still going strong. When I first saw him in Nagpur during his Test debut in 2012, I told my teammates that they were watching England’s future captain. What struck me most was how he assessed the wicket and rotated the strike. I knew right then that he would be a big player.”
Since the Covid era, Root has amassed 5,720 runs in 61 matches (111 innings) at an average of 56.63, including 22 hundreds and 17 fifties. Earlier in his career, he faced criticism for struggling to convert starts into big scores.
Root worked tirelessly on his game and is now the ICC Test No. 1-ranked batter. He is keen to surpass Tendulkar’s record while leading England to victory in the ongoing ICC World Test Championship (WTC).
