Joe Root’s career in Test match play has been characterised by consistency, improvement, and excellence. From being one of the bright prospects in cricket in the year 2012 to being one of the great legends in the sport, the English batsman is yet to attain a legendary status, despite being on course to break the aggregated run tally for Tests set by the legendary Sachin Tendulkar at 15,921.
As Root is just 2,078 runs away from achieving this historic milestone, the question that is echoing through all the discussions regarding the game is this – when will Joe Root break the Test record set by Sachin Tendulkar?
Joe Root’s Test Career: From Debut to Dominance
Joe Root made his Test debut on 13 December 2012 against India in Nagpur and took an instant liking to the level with a composed 73 in his first outing.
Few could have imagined then that 14 years later, the Yorkshireman was about to overshoot Tendulkar’s almost unreachable record. The 35-year-old Root has married longevity with elite performance, the key ingredients required to challenge such a monumental tally.
Year-by-Year Breakdown of Joe Root’s Test Runs
There is remarkable consistency in the number of career games played by Root, totaling over a decade:
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2017 – 2022 (Captaincy Era): The average dropped to 47.23 due to
2023-2026 (Post-Captaincy Peak):
Since losing the captaincy, Root has scored 3,314 runs and been out only 58 times, signifying a distinct revival in his performance.
Post-Captaincy Joe Root: A Batter Reborn
Root’s batting performance ever since giving up the captaincy’s mantle has reached another level altogether. He has been the most consistent player in the England lineup, even in tough series such as the Ashes.
This post-captaincy spurt is essential in forecasting when Joe Root will overtake Sachin Tendulkar’s record in Test cricket, as it will be a realistic measure of future performance.
How Many Innings Does Joe Root Need to Break the Record?
Working on his current post-captaincy average of 57.14, Root would need around:
40 Test innings
2,078 runs
This projection assumes fitness and regular selection, both of which do appear highly likely given the amount that England play Tests.
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England’s Upcoming Test Schedule and Run Projections
Next 12 Months
6 home Tests
Winter tours to South Africa and Bangladesh
Estimated 22 innings
Projected runs: 1,257
This would take Root to around 15,885 runs, leaving him just 36 runs short of Tendulkar’s record.
2027 Ashes Series
Minimum 5 Tests
At least 12 innings
Projected additional runs: 685
This presents a realistic scenario in which Joe Root can usurp Sachin Tendulkar’s Test record in the Ashes in 2027. Therefore, When will Joe Root Break the Test Record of Sachin Tendulkar? Based on current form, fitness, and schedule,
- Most Likely Timeframe: Late 2027
- Possible moment: During Ashes series
Safer prediction: Series of winter 2027-28 In either case, it seems an inevitability rather than a possibility.
Final Verdict: A Matter of When, Not If
Root is only 35 now. He has not shown any decline in his game. The packed English Test calendar is also in his favor. Thus, his record-breaking feat in Test Cricket against the record of Sachin Tendulkar appears
“Cricket history is about to witness a major milestone, and all indicators suggest Joe Root will be alone at the top of Test runs lists by the end of 2027 instead of having company,” Rose McLaren declares in her assessment of Root’s impressive record in international cricket.
