Cricket witnessed a heart warming exchange of respect this week as Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar finally spoke about Joe Root joining him in the record books.
Root, who recently went past 13,000 Test runs, is now second only to Tendulkar in the list of all-time highest run-scorers in the longest format.
For Tendulkar, this milestone carried a special memory. He recalled the first time he saw Root bat in Nagpur, 2012, when the English star was just making his Test debut. The Indian great revealed that Root’s class was obvious even then.
“To have gone past 13,000 runs is a remarkable achievement, and he’s still going strong. When I saw him for the first time in Nagpur in 2012 during his debut Test, I told my teammates that they were watching the future captain of England,” Tendulkar said during a recent Reddit AMA.
Joe Root’s rise has been nothing short of phenomenal. From a calm young debutant in Nagpur to becoming the backbone of England’s Test batting lineup, Root has consistently shown grit, technique, and adaptability across conditions.
Currently, he has 13,543 runs in Test cricket — a tally that puts him in an elite company, second only to Tendulkar’s unmatched 15,921 runs.
While many modern-day batters have shifted their focus to limited-overs cricket, Root’s dedication to Tests has earned him praise worldwide. His ability to anchor innings, play long knocks, and deliver under pressure has made him one of the most respected cricketers of his era.
Sachin Tendulkar’s Emotional Acknowledgment
For fans, Tendulkar’s reaction was more than just a congratulatory note. It was a passing of the torch moment — a living legend recognizing another player’s pursuit of history.
What makes it even more special is that Tendulkar had predicted Root’s leadership qualities right at the start of his career. From spotting his calm temperament in 2012 to now watching him become England’s batting mainstay, Tendulkar’s foresight has come full circle.
This acknowledgment adds weight to Root’s legacy and shows how cricket is not just about records but also about respect across generations.
The Numbers Game: Tendulkar vs Root
| Player | Matches | Runs | Average | 100s | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sachin Tendulkar | 200 | 15,921 | 53.78 | 51 | 68 |
| Joe Root | 144* | 13,543 | 50.24 | 31 | 61 |
Looking at the numbers, Root still has some way to go before reaching Tendulkar’s monumental tally. But given his fitness, form, and hunger for runs, many believe he could eventually surpass the Indian maestro’s record.
For decades, Sachin Tendulkar stood as the undisputed king of cricket, his batting records seemingly beyond reach. Even a decade after his retirement, no one came close — until Virat Kohli rewrote history.
In the 2023 World Cup semi-final against England, Kohli surpassed Tendulkar’s iconic record, becoming the first batter to score 50 ODI centuries. In a moment etched in cricketing folklore, Kohli bowed down to his idol, the “God of Cricket,” before carrying on.
Just as Tendulkar’s record in ODIs eventually fell, his monumental Test tally of 15,921 runs is now under threat. This time, the challenger is none other than Joe Root, the England maestro, who has already crossed 13,500 runs and stands on the verge of chasing down Tendulkar’s immortal mark.
Why This Matters to Cricket Fans
- Longevity in Test Cricket: In an era dominated by T20 leagues, Root’s dedication to Tests inspires hope for the traditional format.
- Legends Inspiring Legends: When a player like Tendulkar praises you, it elevates your achievement beyond statistics.
- A Global Connection: This moment connects cricketing fans in India and England, uniting two great cricketing nations in admiration of excellence.
In Shorts:
Records in cricket are often celebrated, but when those records are accompanied by respect and recognition from legends, they become even more meaningful. Sachin Tendulkar’s heartfelt words about Joe Root are not just about runs — they are about vision, class, and the passing on of greatness.
As Root continues his journey, the cricketing world will be watching closely. Can he break Tendulkar’s record of 15,921 Test runs? Time will tell. For now, his achievement stands as a glowing reminder that Test cricket still produces heroes capable of leaving a lasting legacy.
