Sachin Tendulkar, widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen in cricket history, has accumulated nearly 16000 runs in Test cricket.
Recently, former Australia captain Ricky Ponting, the second-highest run-scorer in Test cricket history, suggested that England’s Joe Root has a good chance of surpassing Tendulkar’s run total.
READ MORE: Ricky Ponting tips current cricketer to break Sachin Tendulkar’s record
“He could potentially achieve that [breaking Sachin’s Test record]. He is 33 years old and 3000 runs behind. It depends on the number of Test matches they play, but if they’re playing 10 to 14 Tests a year, and if he’s scoring 800 to 1000 runs a year, then it’s possible he’s only three or four years away from reaching there. So, that would take him to 37 [years old]. If his hunger remains, then there’s a good chance he could do it,” Ponting stated on The ICC Review.
In this piece, The Sporting News delves into England batsman Joe Root’s potential to break Sachin Tendulkar’s Test run tally.
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Can Joe Root surpass Sachin Tendulkar’s Test runs record?
In his assessment of Joe Root’s chances of surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s Test runs tally, Ricky Ponting highlighted two key factors necessary for Root’s success:
- Number of Test matches played by England
- Joe Root’s motivation and fitness (age)
Below, we analyze these factors and determine Root’s likelihood of surpassing Tendulkar’s Test record.
Joe Root’s current Test cricket record compared to Sachin Tendulkar
Joe Root of England, with 12069 runs in Test cricket, is 3852 runs shy of matching Sachin Tendulkar’s runs tally, as the Indian legend has amassed 15921 runs in the format.
| Player | Matches | Innings | Runs | Average | 50s | 100s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sachin Tendulkar | 200 | 329 | 15921 | 53.78 | 68 | 51 |
| Joe Root | 144* | 262 | 12069 | 50.07 | 63 | 32 |
READ MORE: List of batsmen with 10000 runs in Test cricket
England’s Test cricket schedule until 2027
Between August 2024 and February 2027, England is set to play a total of 29 Test matches, including 13 matches at home.
| Months & Year | Number of Matches | Opponent |
|---|---|---|
| September 2024 | 2 | Sri Lanka (Home) |
| October 2024 | 3 | Pakistan (Away) |
| November-December 2024 | 3 | New Zealand (Away) |
| June-August 2025 | 5 | India (Home) |
| November 2025 – January 2026 | 5 | Australia (Away) |
| June 2026 | 3 | New Zealand (Home) |
| August-September 2026 | 3 | Pakistan (Home) |
| December 2026 – February 2027 | 3 | South Africa (Away) |
| February 2027 | 2 | Bangladesh (Away) |
| TOTAL | 29 Tests |
Joe Root has performed better in Home matches (54.09 average in 131 innings) compared to Away matches (45.78 average in 124 innings) in Tests.
His biggest challenge in the upcoming Test series will be the five-match series in Australia, where England historically struggles.
To surpass Tendulkar’s record, Root needs to score 3894 runs, averaging 134.27 runs in each of the 29 Test matches until 2027. His current career average is 84.1 runs per Test match.
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Joe Root’s age and fitness
Joe Root will turn 34 by the end of 2024.
His workload is expected to be managed well as he focuses on Test and One Day fixtures.
Root has expressed his intention to continue playing One Day cricket until at least the age of 38.
Unlike former England captain Alastair Cook, who retired at 39, Root plans to continue playing both red-ball and One Day cricket.
Conclusion: Joe Root’s path to breaking Sachin Tendulkar’s Test record
While Joe Root has ample matches to catch up to Tendulkar’s Test landmark, factors like longevity, consistent selection, and fitness are crucial for his success.
It will depend on the management, selectors, and his fitness to maintain performance levels into his late 30s.
Given the confirmed 29 Tests for England until 2027, Root must elevate his performance and stay fit to surpass Tendulkar’s run tally.
READ MORE: India’s tour of England 2025 schedule
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