Joe Root, the prolific English batter, has been in sensational form lately, scoring runs at a blistering pace.
His recent performance against the West Indies, where he scored a brilliant 122 in the second innings, has reignited the debate about whether he can surpass the legendary Sachin Tendulkar as the highest run-scorer in Test cricket history.
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Current Statistics and Rankings
Joe Root, who has amassed an impressive 11,940 runs in 142 Test matches at an average of 56.63, is currently the eighth-highest run-getter in the format.
He recently overtook Shivnarine Chanderpaul and is now only 18 runs behind Brian Lara. With his current form and fitness, Root is well on his way to becoming England’s leading run-scorer, surpassing Alastair Cook’s record of 12,472 runs.
The Challenge Ahead
Former England captain Michael Vaughan believes that Root has every chance of going past Tendulkar’s record of 15,921 runs.
Vaughan stated, “Joe Root will become England’s leading run-scorer in the next few months and is so special that he really could overtake Sachin Tendulkar eventually.”
To surpass Tendulkar, Root would need to play at least 47 more Tests, assuming he maintains his current scoring rate of 84 runs per Test. At his current rate of around 12 Tests per year, it would take him approximately four more years to achieve this feat.
Age and Longevity in Test Cricket
However, it’s important to note that Root will likely have to play past his 37th birthday to have a decent chance of overtaking Tendulkar.
This is a rare occurrence for English batter in the modern era, with Alec Stewart being the only top-seven batter to play more than a handful of Tests after turning 36.
Root’s Unique Skill Set
Despite the challenges, Root’s exceptional talent and dedication to the game make him a strong contender to become the all-time leading run-scorer in Test cricket.
His ability to adapt to different conditions and his consistency in scoring big runs make him a crucial asset for the England team.
The Road Ahead
As Root continues to pile on the runs and climb the ranks, cricket enthusiasts around the world will eagerly watch to see if he can etch his name in history by surpassing Tendulkar’s record.
It promises to be an exciting journey for the talented Englishman as he aims to cement his legacy as one of the greatest batters of his generation.
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