Joe Root is enjoying the best time of his career in plainclothes cricket. His bat is also smiling in the ongoing series against India. On the way to playing an innings of 150 runs in the fourth Test in Manchester, he surpassed the top three run scorers in Test history, and is now only ahead of Sachin Tendulkar. However, former Indian cricketer and analyst Aakash Chopra believes that it will not be easy for Root to surpass Sachin.
Root was dismissed on the third day of the Manchester Test after scoring 150 runs. His Test runs are now 13,409. Sachin is ahead of the former England captain with 15,921 runs.
While Root was batting on 123, Ben Jones tweeted that Root needs 2,539 more runs to surpass Sachin. He has scored the same number of runs in the last 2 years.
In this regard, Akash said on his YouTube channel, “I learned from Ben Jones’ tweet that Root needs 2539 more runs to surpass Sachin’s run tally. To give you a little context, Root has scored 2539 runs in the last two years. He has scored more than 2500 runs since February 2023.”
Then, expressing his opinion, the former cricketer said, “If it continues like this, it will seem like a matter of two years. But life is not like that. Everything does not move at the same pace. Loss of form or injuries – these are part of life. It is a good reference point, but it does not mean that he will definitely surpass Sachin in two years.”
However, Chopra is also reluctant to belittle Joe Root. Praising the English batsman, he said, “This boy (Root) is different. He has broken our morale, ruined our plans. He is an extraordinary batsman. No one will disagree about who is the best Test batsman in the present era. Everyone will say in one voice – Joe Root.”
Regarding Joe Root’s 150-run innings, Akash said, “When he was batting today (Friday), there was certainty, confidence, dominance and a kind of calmness in him. He always bats properly. Defends well, plays sweeps at times, finds gaps from the backfoot to the leg side. In a word, he is great. Mentally, he is a very high-level cricketer too.
At the end of the third day of the ongoing Manchester Test, hosts England’s total is 544 runs for 7 wickets. In the meantime, the team’s lead stands at 186 runs. India was all out for 358 runs in their first innings. England is leading the series 2-1.
FAQ
What record of Sachin Tendulkar is being discussed?
The record in question is Sachin Tendulkar’s all-time highest Test runs tally — 15,921 runs in Test cricket.
How close is Joe Root to breaking this record?
As of now, Joe Root has crossed 11,500+ Test runs, making him one of the closest among active players to challenge the record.
What did Aakash Chopra say about Joe Root’s chances?
Aakash Chopra praised Root’s consistency but said that breaking Sachin’s record will be very difficult, though not impossible.
What factors could help Joe Root reach the milestone?
Root’s fitness, form, and England’s busy Test schedule could give him a chance to accumulate the runs needed.
What challenges does Joe Root face in breaking the record?
Root must maintain top form for several more years, and avoid injuries or dips in performance to reach Tendulkar’s tally.
