Manchester’s Old Trafford bore witness to a historic moment in cricket as England’s batting maestro Joe Root smashed his 38th Test century, a knock of 150 runs against India that not only thrilled the crowd but also elevated him above some of the game’s greatest names.
Climbing Past Legends
With his latest innings, Root surpassed the legendary run tallies of Ricky Ponting (13,378 runs), Rahul Dravid (13,288), and Jacques Kallis (13,289) in Test cricket. He now finds himself inching closer to an even more monumental target: Sachin Tendulkar’s all-time Test run record of 15,921.
Former England captain Michael Atherton believes Tendulkar’s Everest is within reach. “Root averages about 85 runs a Test. If that continues, he’d need just 30 more Tests to break the record,” Atherton observed. “Sport can be a cruel mistress, but with fair wind, it’s a very realistic goal.”
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The Run Machine
Since 2021, Root’s form has been extraordinary. He has scored 21 centuries in the last five years alone, a staggering stat for a player operating in the longest and most grueling format. His consistency across conditions and his ability to anchor innings make him a cornerstone of England’s red-ball success.
In Pursuit of Greatness
Joe Root’s numbers are no longer just elite, they're historic. With form on his side, age in his favour, and motivation at an all-time high, Root's journey towards Tendulkar’s Test throne feels less like a dream and more like destiny in motion.