As of August, Joe Root has scored 14,180 runs in 167 Test matches. He is now only 1,741 runs away from equalling Sachin Tendulkar’s all-time record of 15,921 runs. Tendulkar played 200 Tests, while Root has played 33 fewer matches.
During the first Test against Pakistan at Headingley, Root scored 66 off 112 deliveries. This was his 68th Test half-century, bringing him level with Sachin Tendulkar for the most fifties in Test cricket history. Root’s 66 was also his 109th 50-plus score in Test cricket, placing him second on the all-time list behind Tendulkar, who had 119 such scores.
In the same innings, Root became the first player in World Test Championship history to score 3,000 runs as captain. He returned as England’s Test captain following Ben Stokes’ retirement in June 2026. He now averages 50.13 as WTC captain, with 8 centuries and 13 fifties from 63 innings.
Root is also closing in on another major record. He needs just 37 more runs to surpass Ricky Ponting for the most runs in home Tests. Ponting has 7,578 runs in 92 home Tests, while Root has 7,542 runs in 88 home Tests.
Root’s recent form has been exceptional. He has averaged 56.02 across 50 innings since 2024. He has hit 496 runs at an average of 248 in six innings this year. Root could surpass Tendulkar’s record, potentially by late 2027 or early 2028.
Joe Root Test Runs: Can Joe Root Catch Sachin Tendulkar’s All-Time Test Runs Record?
Joe Root is the highest run-scorer in Test cricket among active players. He has reserved himself for the longer format and is rarely unavailable for selection. He ranks second on the all-time list of Test run-scorers as of August 2026. He has pulled clear of Jacques Kallis, Rahul Dravid, and Ricky Ponting.
Sachin Tendulkar scored 15,921 runs in 200 Tests. Joe Root has 14,180 runs in 167 Tests. He needs 1,741 runs to surpass Tendulkar’s tally. He has played 33 fewer Tests than Tendulkar.
Over the last five years, Root has played 65 Tests. That averages out to 13 Test matches per year, which means around 23 Test innings annually.
England have a busy schedule ahead. They play Pakistan at home in August 2026. Then South Africa away in December 2026 and Bangladesh away in February 2027.
Root averages 51.23 runs per Test inning. If he scores at least 1,000 Test runs every year, he would need to play until at least 2028 to beat Tendulkar’s record. Root turned 35 in December 2025. To reach Tendulkar’s total, he will have to play until he is at least 38.
England Take Control as Pakistan Faces a 195-Run Deficit at Headingley
England took control of the first Test against Pakistan on Thursday. They finished Day 2 on 366 for 8 and took a first-innings lead of 195 runs at Headingley.
Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jordan Cox, and Dan Lawrence all scored half-centuries. Rain delayed the start by nearly four hours, but England’s batters made the most of the time available.
Harry Brook came closest to a century. Playing on his home ground, he scored 91 before left-arm spinner Ali Usman bowled him. He hit 13 fours. Usman finished with 5 for 92, his first five-wicket haul in Test cricket. Brook had an early escape after being dropped on one but made Pakistan pay.
Root and Cox added 150 runs for the third wicket. Cox scored 73 in just his second Test, while Root made 66. Root later fell lbw to Khurram Shahzad. Cox missed out on a bigger score after being dropped on 57 before edging behind.
Dan Lawrence, playing his first Test in two years, added 51 runs in the middle order. England scored at 4.46 runs per over. Pakistan’s bowling and fielding struggled for long periods. They had been dismissed for 171 on the opening day.
At stumps, wicketkeeper Jamie Smith was unbeaten on 16, while Jofra Archer was yet to score. England will begin Day 3 with a 195-run lead and two wickets in hand.
FAQs
Q. How many Test runs has Joe Root scored?
A. Root has scored 14,180 Test runs.
Q. How many Test centuries does Root have?
A. Root has scored 41 Test centuries.
Q. How many runs does Root need to pass Tendulkar?
A. Root needs 1,741 more runs to pass Tendulkar’s record.
Q. What WTC record did Root achieve against Pakistan?
A. Root became the first player to score 3,000 WTC runs as captain.
Q. How many runs did England lead Pakistan by?
A. England took a 195-run first-innings lead.
Q. Who took five wickets for Pakistan?
A. Pakistan spinner Ali Usman took five wickets.
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