Joe Root’s remarkable form in Test cricket continues to soar, with the England batter etching his name into the history books. In the second Test against Sri Lanka, Root notched up two centuries, surpassing Alastair Cook as England’s leading century-maker in the format. With 34 tons to his name, Root now stands as the most prolific English batter in Test cricket.
Root’s exceptional performance has sparked speculation about whether he can surpass the all-time run-scoring record held by Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar. Tendulkar amassed an astonishing 15,921 runs in Test cricket, a feat that has remained unmatched for over a decade.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan believes Root has the potential to break Tendulkar’s record. “He has three and a half thousand runs to trail by. He has three years. Unless his back snaps, he is the most enthusiastic lover of the game,” Vaughan said. “I don’t think he is going to get away. He is no longer the captain and knows his game better than ever before. I’ll be amazed if he doesn’t.”
Vaughan also acknowledged the significance of Root’s achievement for Test cricket. “If Joe goes past Sachin, it will be the best thing that would ever happen to Test cricket, because there’s no way BCCI would want an England player at the top of the list. They’ll want an Indian at the top so that will secure Test match cricket because it’ll take forever for someone to get past him.”
Legendary Australian wicketkeeper-batter Adam Gilchrist, however, expressed caution. “Don’t know. How old is he? 33? He’s a youngster. I have no idea when his appetite is going to slow down. He is clearly pretty hungry at the moment. But does he have the desire to go on? He is going to phase himself out of white ball completely. Sorry, I will answer that question about Joe after the Ashes next year.”
Root’s journey to the top of England’s batting charts has been marked by consistency and resilience. The 33-year-old has amassed over 12,000 Test runs, averaging over 50. His ability to adapt to different conditions and his unwavering determination have made him one of the most respected batters in the world.
As Root continues to pile up runs, the debate over whether he can surpass Tendulkar’s record will intensify. While the task is undoubtedly daunting, Root’s unwavering focus and exceptional talent suggest that he has the potential to achieve the seemingly impossible.
