Despite retiring in 2013, Sachin Tendulkar remains the undisputed king of Test cricket, holding the record for most runs scored in the format. With 15,921 runs to his name, Tendulkar’s legacy continues to inspire aspiring cricketers worldwide.
Among active players, India’s Virat Kohli, Australia’s Steve Smith, and England’s Joe Root stand as the top three batters with the most Test runs. Root leads the pack with 12,402 runs, followed by Smith (9685 runs) and Kohli (8871 runs).
Kohli, Smith, and Root have been hailed as potential successors to Tendulkar’s throne, with many experts predicting they could break his record. However, Smith and Kohli have recently experienced a significant dip in form.
Former Australian star Brad Hogg has expressed doubts about Kohli’s ability to reach Tendulkar’s heights. “I just don’t think Virat is going to get there,” Hogg said. “He’s lost his momentum, and he needs to turn it around in the next 10 Test matches or he’s going to drop off.”
In contrast, Hogg believes Root has the potential to surpass Tendulkar’s record. “Joe Root has 146 Test matches with 12,000 runs,” Hogg said. “Sachin Tendulkar made nearly 16,000 runs in 200 Test matches. That’s 4,000 runs in 66 Tests. I think Joe Root can go close to toppling that.”
Root’s consistent performance in Test cricket has earned him widespread admiration. “Watch out, Joe Root is on the move to beat Sachin Tendulkar,” Hogg added. “I think quietly he’ll have that in the back of his mind to try and topple that little unique stat.”
