'His commitment to Test cricket should be a lesson...': Former India cricketer lauds Joe Root as England batter surpassed Rahul Dravid and Jacques Kallis to become second-highest run-getter in whites

Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif lavished praise on England batter Joe Root for his dedication in Tests. Root, who is currently featuring in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025, becomes the third-highest run-getter in the longest format of the game, surpassing legendary stars Rahul Dravid and Jacques Kallis. Root reached this milestone during the fourth Test match of the five-match series at Old Trafford Stadium in Manchester.

Kaif took his 'X', formerly known as Twitter, to laud the England star for his commitment for the Tests and suggested young players to take a lesson.

"Joe Root keeps scoring runs. His commitment to test cricket should be a lesson for all youngsters playing the game" posted Kaif.

Root now has 13,290* Test runs, edging closer to former Australia captain Ricky Ponting, who sits in second place with 13,378 runs. With this feat, Root joined an elite list, becoming England's third batter to score 1,000-plus Test runs at two different venues. He previously scored 2,166 runs at Lord’s, and now joins Alastair Cook and Graham Gooch, who achieved this milestone at both Lord’s and The Oval.

ALSO READ: 'Even if he makes a fifty...': Ex-India star raises questions over Shardul Thakur's inclusion in playing XI for Manchester Test

ALSO READ: 'There were quite a few efforts from the medical team...': Shardul Thakur's massive revelation on how Rishabh Pant came to bat with broken toe

Most runs in Test cricket

15921 - Sachin Tendulkar

13378 - Ricky Ponting

13290* - Joe Root

13289 - Jacques Kallis

13288 - Rahul Dravid.

Root is currently in lethal form in the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 as he scored more than 250 runs, including a ton and a half-century. After completing his half-century, Root also became the second-ever cricketer to smash the most fifty-plus scores in the longest format of the game. Sachin Tendulkar leads the list of batters with the most fifty-plus scores in Test cricket, having recorded 119 in his Test career. Joe Root follows with 104 fifty-plus scores, comprising 37 centuries and 67 half-centuries. Jacques Kallis is close behind with 103 fifty-plus scores, which include 45 centuries and 58 fifties. Ricky Ponting also registered 103 fifty-plus scores, featuring 41 centuries and 62 half-centuries. Rahul Dravid makes the list as well, with a total of 99 fifty-plus scores, 36 centuries and 63 fifties.