Joe Root, the former captain of England’s Test cricket team, is enjoying a remarkable phase in his career. As he continues to score runs and centuries, he is steadily approaching some of the most prestigious records in cricket.
Among these is the record for the most Test runs and centuries, held by the legendary Sachin Tendulkar. With every match, Root inches closer to these milestones, yet his focus remains elsewhere.
He just scored centuries in both innings of England's second Test against Sri Lanka and looks to be in prime form.
When asked about the possibility of surpassing Tendulkar’s records, Root made it clear that his priority is not on personal achievements but on contributing to England’s success.
How close is Joe Root to Sachin Tendulkar’s record?
Joe Root’s incredible form has brought him closer than ever to Tendulkar’s records. He has already become England’s leading century-scorer in Test cricket, surpassing Alastair Cook with 34 centuries.
With 12,377 Test runs to his name, Root is now just 3,544 runs away from Tendulkar’s all-time record of 15,921 runs. In terms of centuries, Root needs 17 more to match Tendulkar’s 51 Test hundreds. Given his current momentum, Root is positioned well to challenge these records in the coming years.
BET NOW: Exclusive sign-up offers and bonuses when you bet on sporting action
Sachin Tendulkar’s name is synonymous with cricketing greatness. With 15,921 Test runs and 51 centuries, Tendulkar set a benchmark that seemed untouchable when he retired in 2013.
However, in the years since, discussions have emerged about which modern player might come close to these achievements. Joe Root is now considered the strongest contender to challenge Tendulkar’s records in Test cricket.
More: No Rohit Sharma, no Kieron Pollard: Virat Kohli to open in Harsha Bhogle's all-time IPL XI
What did Joe Root say on beating Sachin Tendulkar's record?
Despite the growing talk about Joe Root potentially surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s records, Root himself remains focused on the bigger picture—winning matches for England. When asked about the possibility of breaking Tendulkar’s record, Root downplayed personal milestones.
"I'm not looking at Sachin Tendulkar's record of most runs. I just want to play and contribute to my team, hundreds are great, but no greater feeling than winning the Test matches," Root said.
READ: Can Root break Sachin's record?
Breaking Tendulkar’s records is no small task, but Root has shown that he has the potential to do so. With nine centuries and ten half-centuries in his last 29 Tests, Root’s recent form has been nothing short of spectacular.
If he can maintain this level of play, stay injury-free, and continue playing for a few more years, the gap between him and Tendulkar could close significantly. However, several factors will influence this pursuit, including England’s future Test schedule and Root’s ability to sustain his current form.
While it’s still a challenging feat, Root’s determination and skill make him a strong contender to break these long-standing records.