England’s modern-era batting legend Joe Root is not chasing numbers anymore in Test cricket. Joe Root is chasing a place in cricket history that once felt almost unimaginable.
Joe Root is the only active cricketer who has a realistic chance to break the Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar’s world record in Test cricket. Tendulkar, the most perfect batter of his era, holds the prestigious record of most Test runs to his name with 15921 runs in 200 games.
Joe Root vs Sachin Tendulkar: A Realistic Timeline to Test Cricket’s Run Record
The former England captain might have never thought of breaking that record in the future when he started ruling the red-ball cricket. But now this is no longer a distant dream, as he is only 1,984 runs away from breaking Tendulkar’s world record and achieving cricketing immortality.
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It is a slow, emotional journey that is unfolding match by match, inning by inning, often quietly, but with enormous weight behind every run. The question is no longer if the right-hander can surpass Tendulkar’s all-time Test run record, but when. By dissecting his current form, England’s packed schedule, and the inevitable challenges of age, we project a clear path to history.
The Run Gap: Breaking Down the 1,984
Sachin Tendulkar’s final tally of 15,921 runs has stood tall in Tests for over a decade. On the other hand, Joe Root’s consistency has brought him to 13,937 runs, making the chase almost realistic. Still, the distance is significant, but the Englishman’s recent form makes it a real chance.
Over the last three years, Root has shown what true endurance in modern Test cricket looks like. From 2023 to 2025, the former England captain scored 3,148 runs in 35 Tests. There were no shortcuts, no lucky streaks. Just long days at the crease, battles against some of the best bowling attacks, and the mental strain that only Test cricket brings.
Nearly 45 runs every inning and almost 90 runs per Test tell a story of Root’s remarkable consistency and testament to endurance in an era where Test cricket is constantly under pressure.
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The Projection: How Many Tests Will It Take?
At this pace, Joe Root would need around 44 to 45 innings, or about 22 to 23 Tests, to break Tendulkar’s world record in Tests. England’s upcoming Test schedule almost feels like it was written for this chase.
England’s future schedule:
– 2026: 3 Tests against New Zealand at home, 3 Tests against Pakistan at home, 3 Tests in South Africa
– 2027: 2 Tests in Bangladesh, 5 Ashes Tests at home, and expected series against the West Indies and Sri Lanka
That is already 11 Tests on the horizon. And England usually plays close to 12-14 Tests per year, which means the record could be within reach by the end of the 2027 season.
Even if Root gets injured, faces a dip in form, and even if the body asks for rest, the road for greatness remains open for the Englishman. Checking all the scenarios, Root may need around 50 innings to break Tendulkar’s Test record in the 2027–29 cycle.
