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Joe Root is 2,949 runs behind Sachin Tendulkar’s once-invincible tally of 15,921 runs.
Former England cricketer James Foster remains hopeful that Joe Root will be able to beat Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar’s record to become the all-time leading run-scorer in Test cricket. Root, who’ll turn 34 on December 30, is 2,949 runs behind Tendulkar’s once-invincible tally of 15,921 runs.
Tendulkar donned the whites for India in 200 Tests, scoring 51 centuries and 68 fifties. When he hung up his gloves in 2013, many felt his scoring records in the longest format would remain untouched for ages. Root is the first in the decade since to have come close to consideration, thanks to his consistent performances.
“Joe is a world-class player. Joe continues to keep evolving his game,” Foster, who played 23 internationals for England, said during an interaction with news agency ANI. “He has played so much cricket, but he is still very hungry. He just loves it. Anyone with that ability and quality who still has the hunger to perform and play cricket. He has probably got a very good chance.”
Root has represented England in 152 Tests to register 12,972 runs at an average of over 50. He has 36 centuries and 65 fifties in the red-ball format.
Root continued his sublime form in the recent three-Test away series against New Zealand. He recorded 218 runs in six innings, averaging 43.60.
It allowed him to surpass Pakistan’s legend Javed Miandad to become the highest scorer against New Zealand in Tests with 1,925 runs in his 21st match. Miandad held the previous record with 1,919 runs for over 30 years.
Root has achieved the same feat against India as well with 2846 runs. After Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara, Root is only the second batter to become the leading scorer in Tests against two different nations. Sangakkara secured the record against Bangladesh and Pakistan with 1,816 and 2,911 runs respectively.
In terms of overall Test runs, Root is currently fifth in the world. He is 406 runs away from replacing Australia’s Ricky Ponting and securing the second spot. England will next play a one-off Test against Zimbabwe at home in May 2025.
In the Summer, England will host India for five Tests, starting on June 20 in Leeds and ending in early August at the Kennington Oval in London.