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England Test skipper Ben Stokes reckoned that Joe Root can break Sachin Tendulkar's record for the most runs in Test cricket. Root recently surpassed Alastair Cook to become England's highest run-scorer in Tests during the third day of the first Test against Pakistan in Multan.
He reached this milestone with a classic on-drive, overtaking Cook's tally of 12,472 runs by lunchtime in Multan.
In a pre-recorded video released by the England and Wales Cricket Board, Stokes discussed Root's accomplishments and was asked whether Root could eventually break Tendulkar's record of 15,921 runs. Stokes suggested that Root if he continues playing until around the age of 39, could at least come close to Tendulkar's record, if not surpass it.
"Look, he is 33. He has played some 100 games in a row. I don't know. He can easily go until he is 37, 38, or even 39. If he plays all the Test matches from now until then, I don't see why not. He is too good a player to not at least get close. I personally will be backing him to go past it," said Stokes, as quoted by the England and Wales Cricket Board.
Sachin Tendulkar remains the all-time leading run-scorer in Test cricket, having played 200 matches and amassed 15,921 runs at an impressive average of 53.78, including 51 centuries. Following him is former Australian captain Ricky Ponting, who scored 13,378 runs in 168 matches, with 41 centuries and an average of 51.85. Jacques Kallis closely follows, with 13,289 runs from 166 matches, hitting 45 centuries and boasting a remarkable average of 55.37. Rahul Dravid also made his mark, scoring 13,288 runs in 164 matches, with 36 centuries and an average of 52.31.
In recent times, Joe Root has emerged as a formidable player, having scored 12,473 runs in 147 matches, including 34 centuries and an average of 50.91. Alastair Cook, another great, played 161 matches, scoring 12,472 runs with 33 centuries and an average of 45.35. Ben Stokes praised Root for his selflessness and commitment to the team, highlighting that Root’s recent achievements set a high benchmark for future players in England cricket, suggesting it may be a long time before anyone surpasses his record.
"To score that many runs, you have to think that there has to be a bit of selfishness about the player. But everything he has done with the bat in his hand has always been about the team. I remember a couple of years ago, he was getting stick for not converting his fifties into hundreds. I just couldn't get my head around it," England's red-ball captain said.
"From my point of view, when I looked at how many hundreds Joe scored and how many games we have won, that's what I focus on," he added.
"The selflessness he has is an incredible attribute. He always puts the team first. It's going to take a long, long time for someone to come in and break that record," concluded Stokes.
Root has shown remarkable consistency, having scored over 1,000 runs in the longest format of game in 2024.
