Desk Report,
When can Root surpass Tendulkar?
Joe Root is now the second highest run-scorer in Tests. Only Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar (15,921 runs) is ahead of him. Root is now 2,512 runs behind Sachin. Can this 34-year-old batsman really surpass Sachin and set the record for highest runs in Tests?
When can Root surpass Tendulkar?
If he can, Root can. Because, in the current Test schedule, it is practically impossible for any player from any country other than the ‘Big Three’ (Australia, England and India) to surpass Tendulkar. Take the case of New Zealand’s Kane Williamson. His Test debut was two years before Root.
While Root’s average is 50, Williamson’s is almost 55. Yet Williamson is not in the running to break Tendulkar’s record. He is 34 years 352 days old and has 9,276 Test runs. The same is true of Steve Smith, who also made his debut two years before Root, with a batting average of 56. But Smith is still 3,000 runs behind Root. That is, if anyone can break Tendulkar’s record, it will be Root. And if he can, then there may be no one left in this race in the future. Because, in the reality of T20 cricket, not everyone can be Root. The one who has played 157 of England’s 159 Tests since his debut in 2012. He was dropped once in Australia in 2014, and again in 2020, he was on paternity leave. Root has scored 2,678 runs in the last 29 Tests. The 34-year-old batsman is now in his best form. How long he will remain in it at this age is a question. Although there is no sign of a lack of form for now. All in all, taking various factors into account, the British media outlet The Telegraph has made a hypothetical prediction of when Root can break Tendulkar’s record. Here is a breakdown of the total:
June-August 2025: Against India (home, 1 Test remaining)
Runs: 120 (avg: 43.3)
Total runs to reach: 13,539
130 runs are likely to be scored in the remaining one and a half Tests (one innings and one Test).
November 2025-January 2026: Against Australia (away, 5 Tests)
Runs: 370 (avg: 37)
Total runs: 13,909
This tour is likely to be the ‘ultimate test’ for him. Root has played consistently well in Australia. He has scored 9 fifties in 14 Tests. However, he has not scored a century in Australia. The country’s wickets have become more bowling-friendly in recent times.
June 2026: Against New Zealand (Home, 3 Tests)
Runs: 270 (Avg: 45)
Total runs: 14,179
New Zealand’s young pacers and Matt Henry will challenge Root.
August-September 2026: Against Pakistan (Home, 3 Tests)
Runs: 330 (Avg: 55)
Total runs: 14,509
Root played his highest Test innings against Pakistan in 2016. He scored 254 runs. He also scored a double century in Pakistan last year.
December 2026-February 2027: Against South Africa (Away, 3 Tests)
Runs: 240 (Avg: 40)
Total runs: 14,749
He averages 50.2 in South Africa, but it is relatively difficult to score runs there.
