Joe Root has faced some criticism for not converting enough of his half-centuries into centuries in Test cricket. Many questioned why a talented player like Root, a skilled right-hander from Sheffield, struggled to turn these starts into big scores. But those critics have been silenced recently.
In the past 26 months, since Joe Root stepped down as England’s Test captain and Ben Stokes took over, Root has been determined to prove himself. He aimed to correct his conversion rate of fifties into hundreds. In his last 28 Tests, he scored eight centuries and 10 half-centuries. This is a big improvement from his earlier record of 25 centuries and 54 half-centuries in his first 117 matches.
Joe Root’s latest century, a superb 143 on the opening day of the second Test against Sri Lanka at Lord’s, tied him with Alastair Cook for the most Test centuries by an Englishman—33. Alastair Cook, a tough left-handed opener, was once seen as the player most likely to break Sachin Tendulkar’s world record for the most Test runs. Cook retired after 161 Tests, still 3,500 runs behind Tendulkar’s record of 15,921 runs.
Joe Root Has Time on His Side
Joe Root, who made his debut almost 12 years ago, is still only 33. He has managed to avoid serious injuries and has missed few matches since his debut against India in December 2012. After his recent knock, Root’s Test runs total 12,274, leaving him around 3,500 runs short of Tendulkar’s record. Unlike Cook, Root has time on his side. At 33, without the pressure of captaincy, he is playing with renewed freedom and focus.
There’s a saying in cricket that a player should forget about captaincy when batting and focus solely on their role as a batter. This is easier said than done. During the latter part of his captaincy, Root struggled under the pressure. Though he still showed great ability—like scoring consecutive hundreds in the West Indies series in March 2022—his enjoyment of the game seemed to diminish.
Joe Root Under Bazball – A Threat to Tendulkar’s Record
Joe Root has thrived under the new leadership of Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum, who promote an aggressive and positive style of cricket. Known as “Bazball,” this approach has helped Root play more aggressively and take risks. He’s even tried new shots, such as the reverse ramp against fast bowlers—something he wouldn’t have attempted earlier. While this style has led to some risky shots and dismissals, it has also brought many rewards. Root seems to have regained his confidence and is playing with renewed energy.
Sachin Tendulkar – The Record Holder
Sachin Tendulkar, often called the “Little Master,” is widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen in the history of cricket. He set the world record for the most Test runs with a staggering total of 15,921 runs in 200 Tests. Tendulkar’s career spanned 24 years, during which he earned numerous accolades and set many records, including the most centuries in both Test and One Day Internationals (ODIs). His record of 100 international centuries remains unmatched, highlighting his remarkable consistency and skill.
Is Root Likely to Surpass Tendulkar’s Record?
Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting, who is well-versed in scoring runs, believes Root has a real chance to break Tendulkar’s record. Ponting said, “If his hunger’s still there, then there’s every chance that he could do it. He’s someone who, in the last couple of years, has gotten better and better.”
For Joe Root to surpass Tendulkar, he needs to stay fit. As players age, recovery from injuries becomes more difficult. England plays between 12 and 14 Test matches each year, giving Root ample opportunities to add to his tally. But staying injury-free and keeping his drive for runs will be key.
While Joe Root might not be focused on Tendulkar’s record, cricket fans and experts certainly are watching closely.
Also Read: How India’s Biggest Stars Have Performed Against Bangladesh in Test Matches
