How Soon Could Root Top Tendulkar?

It appears increasingly likely that England captain Joe Root could eventually surpass Sachin Tendulkar to become the leading run-scorer in Test cricket history. The record in question is monumental: the most runs ever scored in the longest format of the game.

Tendulkar, the Indian batting legend and one of the greatest cricketers of all time, has held this record since 2008, when he overtook Brian Lara’s tally of 11,953 runs. Over the past seventeen years, Tendulkar accumulated 15,921 runs in 200 Tests, cementing his place at the summit.

During this period, few players posed a realistic threat to his record. Former England opener Alastair Cook, for example, was progressing steadily but retired in 2018 at the age of 34, having scored 12,472 runs in 161 Tests. Now, Joe Root has emerged as the most likely contender to challenge Tendulkar’s historic tally.

Top Test Run-Scorers (Career)

As of the first innings of the ongoing Sydney Test, Root has scored 13,937 runs, meaning he requires a further 1,984 runs to surpass Tendulkar. At 35, Root has played 37 fewer Tests than Tendulkar, indicating that achieving this milestone would require him to maintain peak form into the later stages of his career.

Joe Root’s Last Five Years in Tests

Over the past five years, Root has averaged 1,190 runs per year at an average of 55.12, exceeding his career average of 51.23. This indicates that, even in the later stages of his career, he remains in outstanding form.

England’s Remaining 2025–27 Test Championship Schedule

England are scheduled to play eleven more Tests in this cycle, including six at home against New Zealand and Pakistan, providing Root with a maximum of 22 innings. Based on his career average, Root would need approximately 38 innings to accumulate the remaining 1,984 runs, which could extend his record pursuit until 2028, when he would be 38 years old.

While home conditions may offer an advantage—Root has averaged 68.72 in the past two years at home—the path to Tendulkar’s record is far from guaranteed. Cricket, after all, remains unpredictable. Injuries, form fluctuations, and unforeseen circumstances could influence this chase, and whether Root chooses to continue playing at the highest level for another two to three years remains a key question.

Ultimately, the pursuit of Tendulkar’s record is as much a test of resilience and endurance as it is of skill, promising an exciting and historic chapter in the annals of Test cricket.