Sachin Tendulkar’s Historic Record Not Safe After Joe Root Passes Ricky Ponting

Joe Root was not the only centurion, with captain Ben Stokes also notching a 140-run innings in England's first innings against India at Old Trafford.

Sachin Tendulkar’s Historic Record Not Safe After Joe Root Passes Ricky Ponting

Ricky Ponting exclaimed that Joe Root could very soon surpass Sachin Tendulkar's Test run-scoring record, given his current career trajectory. (via India Today)

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Australian legend Ricky Ponting fired a warning to Sachin Tendulkar, suggesting his Test run-scoring record is no longer safe as Joe Root relentlessly closes in on the top spot. Root recently became the second-highest run-getter in the longest format, with an impressive total of 13,409 runs.

Joe Root played a masterclass innings in England’s first innings of their fourth Test match against India, at Old Trafford in Manchester. The 34-year-old scored a scintillating knock of 150 runs off 248 deliveries, hitting 14 boundaries, helped the home side make it to a massive 669-run first innings total, establishing a dominant 311-run lead over the Indian side’s first innings score of 358 runs.

Root’s innings elevated him to second place on the all-time Test run-scorers list. On the third day at Old Trafford, he remarkably surpassed three Test batting legends in a single day to achieve this historic milestone. The 34-year-old first eclipsed former Indian batter Rahul Dravid’s record of 13,288 runs upon reaching the 30-run mark. With a single off the very next delivery, he surpassed South African all-round legend Jacques Kallis’s record of 13,289 runs.

Later in the day, he overtook former Australian captain Ricky Ponting’s record of 13,378 runs, to take the second place on the all-time run-scorers list. On his way to shattering the records of these cricketing legends, Root also registered his 38th Test century. He therefore, equaled Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara on another list, having scored the joint-fourth most hundreds in Test cricket history.

The veteran English batter is now only trailing Indian cricket great Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 15,921 Test runs. Root is closing in on Tendulkar’s record, which was set after he played 200 Test matches for India, scoring 51 centuries.

Joe Root, who has played 157 Test matches and boasts an average close to Tendulkar’s, at 51.17, prompted Australian cricketing great Ricky Ponting to firmly remark that he sees no reason why Root cannot surpass Sachin’s record.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Ricky Ponting exclaimed that given the trajectory of Joe Root’s career, he could very well go past Tendulkar at the top of the all-time run-scorers list, highlighting the hunger the English batter has.

Ponting further stated that with Root, only 34 now, if he continues to score around 80-85 runs in all the Tests he plays for the next three to four years, he could well cover the 2,512 runs that currently separate him and Tendulkar.

The way his [Joe Root’s] career has gone, there is absolutely no reason why he will not go past [Sachin] Tendulkar. He is elegant, stylish, hungry.

Moreover, Root is now the only active player with more than 11,000 runs in Test cricket, with Australia’s Steve Smith, a distant second with 10,477 runs. The Englishman has now surged ahead among the ‘Big-Four’ in Tests, a quartet that also includes Smith, Virat Kohli, and Kane Williamson.

Joe Root Surpasses Don Bradman’s Record with Old Trafford Ton Against India

Joe Root, on his way to a record-breaking 150-run innings against India at Old Trafford, shattered numerous other records. He surpassed cricketing great and Australian legend Sir Don Bradman on a unique list, for the most hundreds against a single opponent in home Tests. 

Joe Root Don Bradman record
Joe Root surpassed Don Bradman’s record for most Test hundreds against a single opponent at home, with nine hundreds against India. (via News 18)

After scoring his ninth Test century against India at home, Root surpassed Bradman’s record of eight Test hundreds against England at home. He also overtook Steve Smith to become the player with the most overall centuries against India, now boasting 12 tons in 62 innings. Root now has an impressive 3,249 runs against India in red-ball cricket, at an average of 59.07, which is the highest by any player.

Additionally, Joe Root also became the first English batter to score over 1,000 Test runs in Manchester. He is now the third English batter, after Alastair Cook and Graham Gooch, to have accumulated over 1,000 runs at two different venues; Lord’s and Old Trafford.