Joe Root, the famed English cricketer, is about to add his name to the history books. He is pursuing Sachin Tendulkar’s all-time Test runs record of 15,921. At 34, Root is one year older than Alastair Cook was at his retirement in 2018. In spite of this, Root is not readying to stop any time soon! Root has a phenomenal average of 85.4 runs per match in his 157-Test career so far. His play is dazzling both the casual fan and the stat nerd.
Root’s England Test cap was first worn in Nagpur in 2012, only days before his 22nd birthday. Since then, he has made himself an indispensable figure in the English national squad. On an individual level, his consistency really jumps out, particularly since the beginning of 2021. Over 60 Tests, that’s a superhuman 93 runs per Test. This incredible feat most recently earned him the fifth position on the all-time run-getters’ list ahead of the start of the fourth Test.
The cricketer’s road to beating Tendulkar’s record now looks pretty possible, as long as he continues to play like he has been. At this pace, he would need another 30 Tests to beat the Indian cricketer’s record. Tendulkar aspires to overtake Tendulkar. If Root continues playing like he’s been playing, he’s got a genuine chance of overtaking Tendulkar’s tally. This may be the case for the fifth Ashes Test at The Oval in 2027.
Root’s calendar is very carefully worked out, all the way to the end of that home sub in 2027. That’s including a potential 26 Tests over the next two years. This instructional timeline has left him with a very realistic chance of breaking the record. As he began the fourth Test, Root showcased his skills against a formidable four-pronged India spin attack while sporting a brand new navy blue cap.
With all the pressure that comes with the expectations he’s had on him, Root stays calm, cool, and collected. He produces a stunning hat-trick ball perfectly delivered on all three deliveries. Later, as he leaves the stage, he modestly waves at the crowd’s standing ovation. His mental strength and commitment to the game are evident in the numbers he’s put together through an 18-year career. Remarkably, he has only missed two Tests since his debut, and both were through personal reasons, not injury.
Going forward, Root’s age—34, turning 35 in December—does not appear to be a barrier to his prevailing excellence as a Test batter. He would be 36 years old by the end of summer 2027. That age is still a pretty decent bet for a player of his talent. His ability to adapt and evolve on the field suggests that he could maintain his high-performance levels well into his later years.
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