Can Joe Root Become Test Cricket's Highest Run-Scorer?
Joe Root has come a lot closer to break the record of Sachin Tendulkar in Test cricket. He stands close to 14000 runs in the longest format of the game. This puts him 1923 runs behind Sachin Tendulkar, as Root is likely to play a few more years before he retires.
Over the last few decades, fans have considered Sachin Tendulkar as the greatest of all time in the Test format. But this tag on Sachin Tendulkar may be under threat, as the English batsman, Joe Root is coming after his records. Root has already broken various records being held by Sachin in this format.
And now he is coming closer to the biggest record of Sachin, which is the most runs in the Test format. As of the first innings against New Zealand in the 2nd Test, Joe Root has scored 13,998 runs in the longest format of the game. And at the age of 35, the English batsman is showing no signs of slowing down in the game.
Under the Bazball, Joe Root has shown remarkable consistency in the Test format. He averages over 50, and has already scored 41 Test centuries. Moreover, he piles up 1000+ runs in the Test format almost every year. At his current rate of approximately 85 runs per Test, Joe Root would require 23 to 25 Tests more to surpass the record of Sachin Tendulkar.
Upcoming Opportunities
Joe Root is also having various opportunities to surpass the record of Sachin Tendulkar as soon as possible. After the series against New Zealand, England will also be hosting Pakistan in a home series. This will be followed by a tour of South Africa, where Root is expected to be one of the top scorers for the team. With England having 10-15 Test matches each year, Root is likely to close the gap between him and Tendulkar by 2027 or 2028, if he maintains fitness and consistency.