Joe Root Aims to Match Sachin Tendulkar’s Incredible 15,921 Runs
Joe Root’s journey in Test cricket has taken a significant turn as he aims to surpass Sachin Tendulkar’s legendary run record. The England batter, who made his Test debut alongside Tendulkar in December 2012, has been in remarkable form, starting 2026 with a century in the ongoing Ashes series in Australia. Currently, Root has accumulated 13,943 runs from 163 Tests and requires 1,978 more runs to eclipse Tendulkar’s all-time record of 15,921 runs. With his impressive performance and a solid cricketing calendar ahead, Root’s pursuit of this milestone is capturing the attention of cricket fans worldwide.
Root is Hunting Down Sachin’s Record
At 35 years old, Joe Root continues to demonstrate his prowess on the cricket field. Following his recent century at the Sydney Cricket Ground, former England captain Michael Vaughan expressed confidence that Root will eventually break Tendulkar’s record. Vaughan noted that the real question is whether Root will still be playing by the time the next Ashes series rolls around in four years. England’s Test schedule is packed, featuring three home Tests each against New Zealand and Pakistan this year, followed by three Tests in South Africa and two in Bangladesh during the 2026-27 winter. Additionally, a historic 150th anniversary Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground is on the horizon. This busy calendar could provide Root with ample opportunities to accumulate the runs he needs to challenge Tendulkar’s legacy.
Ravi Shastri, the former India head coach, also weighed in on Root’s chances, emphasizing that Root has time on his side. He pointed out that Root has played around 160 Tests and has about 40 matches left in his career. Shastri believes that Root’s age and current form position him well to make a serious challenge for Tendulkar’s record, which is a significant milestone in cricket history.
Root vs Kohli vs Smith vs Williamson
The debate surrounding Joe Root’s place among the elite batsmen of his generation has evolved over the years. Legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar once remarked that Root was slightly behind his contemporaries, including Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, and Kane Williamson. In January 2021, the statistics supported this view, with Kohli, Smith, and Williamson boasting more Test centuries than Root at that time. However, the narrative has shifted dramatically since then.
In the past four years, Root has transformed his game, scoring 24 centuries while only managing 17 fifties across 67 Tests. In contrast, Kohli, who retired from Test cricket in May 2025, had only three centuries in his last 36 Tests. Root’s resurgence can be attributed to his dedication to improving his game during the Covid-19 pandemic, including analyzing his dismissals and refining his technique with the help of former England captain Nasser Hussain. This evolution has positioned Root as a formidable contender in the race to surpass Tendulkar’s record.
Sachin vs Root in Numbers
As Joe Root continues to chase Sachin Tendulkar’s remarkable record, the numbers tell a compelling story. At 34, just before the Sydney Test, Root had amassed 13,777 runs at an average of 50.83 across 296 innings in 162 Tests. Comparatively, Tendulkar had 11,782 runs at an average of 55.31 after 147 Tests. By the time both players reached 298 innings, Tendulkar had surged to 14,965 runs, while Root stood at 13,943 runs.
Milestones further highlight the differences in their careers. Root reached his 41st Test century in his 297th innings, while Tendulkar achieved his 51st hundred in just 289 innings. After turning 35, Tendulkar added 4,139 runs in 91 innings at an average of 49.86, including 12 centuries. For Root, the task is daunting yet achievable; to match Tendulkar’s final tally within the same number of innings, he needs 1,978 runs from his next 31 innings. Unlike Tendulkar, who played extensively in ODIs, Root has primarily focused on Test cricket, which may aid his pursuit of this historic milestone. With age and fitness on his side, Root’s chase for Tendulkar’s record is a story that continues to unfold in the world of cricket.
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