London: England’s star batsman Joe Root continues to make his mark in Test cricket, even when his performance with the bat isn’t at its peak. During the third Test against Sri Lanka at The Oval, Root surpassed Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara to move up in the list of all-time leading run-scorers in Test cricket. Root’s milestone came during the second innings, despite a modest individual performance.
Root Surpasses Sangakkara’s Record
Joe Root now has 12,402 runs in Test cricket, just edging past Kumar Sangakkara, who scored 12,400 runs in his illustrious career. Sangakkara achieved this feat in 233 innings across 134 Tests, boasting an impressive average of 57.40. Root, on the other hand, has reached his current tally in 267 innings from 146 Tests, with an average of 50.62. Although Sangakkara holds a higher batting average among top run-scorers, Root’s consistency and longevity are helping him climb the ranks rapidly.
The Chase to Top the Charts: Root vs. Tendulkar
Root’s next major target is Sachin Tendulkar, who holds the record for the most runs in Test cricket with 15,921 runs in 200 Tests. Root currently stands sixth on the all-time list, with a gap of 3,519 runs between him and Tendulkar. At 33 years of age, Root still has the potential to play several more years of cricket, giving him a realistic chance of catching up with the Indian legend.
Since June 2021, Root has scored a staggering 3,785 runs in Test matches, maintaining a prolific run-scoring rate. If he continues at this pace, he could potentially surpass Tendulkar’s record in about three years.
Root’s Next Target: Ricky Ponting’s Second Spot
Joe Root is not far from reaching the second position on the list of all-time Test run-scorers. Ricky Ponting, the former Australian captain, is currently in second place with 13,378 runs in 168 Tests. Root needs less than 1,000 more runs to overtake Ponting, a goal that seems within reach given his current form.
Virat Kohli vs Joe Root: Who is the Best in Test Cricket? Dinesh Karthik Weighs In
Top Test Run Scorers:
- Sachin Tendulkar – 15,921 runs
- Ricky Ponting – 13,378 runs
- Jacques Kallis – 13,289 runs
- Rahul Dravid – 13,288 runs
- Alastair Cook – 12,472 runs
- Joe Root – 12,402 runs
As Joe Root continues his remarkable Test career, fans are eagerly watching to see how far he can climb in the record books. With many years of cricket left in him, Root’s journey towards becoming one of the greatest Test batsmen is far from over.
