Cricket
How Many Runs Does Joe Root Need to Break Sachin Tendulkar’s World Record of Most Test Runs?
Joe Root continued his sensational run in Test cricket, slamming a majestic 160 during England’s first innings of the fifth Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The knock marked Root’s 41st Test century and further strengthened his position as the closest challenger to Sachin Tendulkar’s long-standing world record for most runs in Test cricket.
Root arrived in Australia without a single Test hundred in the country but has now scored two centuries in the ongoing Ashes series, having earlier reached three figures in Brisbane. His consistency and longevity have made him the most credible modern-day threat to Tendulkar’s record.
Where Joe Root Stands in the All-Time Test Runs List
At the start of the fifth Test, Root had 13,777 runs, while Tendulkar sits at the top with 15,921 runs. That meant Root was 2,144 runs behind the Indian legend.
Root needed 145 runs in the Sydney Test to reduce the gap to under 2,000 runs — a milestone he achieved during Day 2 of the match. Following his knock of 160, Root has now accumulated 13,937 Test runs, leaving him 1,984 runs short of overtaking Tendulkar.
How Many Runs Does Joe Root Need to Break Tendulkar’s Record?
- Sachin Tendulkar: 15,921 runs
- Joe Root: 13,937 runs
- Runs needed to surpass Tendulkar: 1,985 runs
At his current scoring rate and fitness levels, Root could realistically challenge the record within the next two to three years, depending on England’s Test schedule.
Root Enters Elite Company with Another Milestone
Root’s 160 at Sydney was his 17th score of 150 or more in Test cricket, taking him past Mahela Jayawardene on the all-time list. Only four players now stand ahead of him.
Most 150+ Scores in Test Cricket
- Sachin Tendulkar – 20
- Brian Lara – 19
- Kumar Sangakkara – 19
- Don Bradman – 18
- Joe Root – 17
The England batter’s innings featured 15 boundaries and earned him a standing ovation from the Sydney crowd. His knock finally ended when he chipped a return catch to Michael Neser.
Match Context
England were eventually bowled out for 384, with Neser dismissing Josh Tongue to wrap up the innings. Root’s contribution once again proved decisive in keeping England competitive in the high-stakes Ashes encounter.
Additional Analysis & Value Add
Why Root Is a Serious Threat to the Record
Unlike many modern players, Root has shown:
- Exceptional durability
- Minimal injury history
- Strong performances across conditions
- A high conversion rate of starts into big scores
He has also overtaken legends like Ricky Ponting, Jacques Kallis, and Rahul Dravid to become the second-highest run-scorer in Test history.
How Root Compares at the Same Stage
Root has reached 13,937 runs in 297 Test innings, fewer innings than several former greats at similar milestones — highlighting his consistency.
What Could Stop Him?
The biggest factors that may determine whether Root breaks the record include:
- England’s Test calendar volume
- Workload management
- Longevity into his late 30s
However, with modern fitness regimes and Root’s technical soundness, the record is firmly within reach.