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Sachin Tendulkar is widely revered as the greatest Test batter in the history of cricket. Over an illustrious career spanning 24 years, Tendulkar amassed a staggering 15,921 runs in Test cricket, a record that has stood the test of time. His unparalleled skill, consistency, and longevity have made him a benchmark for excellence in the sport, earning him the title of the “God of Cricket.”
Close contenders but Sachin Tendulkar remains at the summit
Over the years, several remarkable players have come close to challenging Tendulkar’s monumental run tally. Legends like Ricky Ponting, Jacques Kallis, and Kumar Sangakkara have all made significant strides in Test cricket, but Tendulkar’s record remains untouched. His extraordinary achievement continues to be a daunting target for contemporary cricketers.
Michael Vaughan names a potential successor
Former England captain Michael Vaughan has recently identified a player who he believes has the potential to surpass Tendulkar’s Test runs record. Vaughan has backed Joe Root, the former England skipper, to break this long-standing record. In his column for The Telegraph, Vaughan praised Root’s exceptional batting skills and his approach to the game.
“Joe Root will become England’s leading run-scorer in the next few months and is so special that he really could overtake Sachin Tendulkar eventually. With the bat generally they did not look reckless like they have in the past. They are scoring quickly, but it doesn’t look like their egos are taking over. They are just playing with good sense,” Vaughan wrote.
Also READ: ENG vs WI: Netizens go wild as Joe Root scores his 32nd Test century at Trent Bridge
Heriocs against West Indies
Root’s recent performance against the West Indies in the second Test at Trent Bridge further bolsters Vaughan’s claim. Root scored his 32nd Test century, a sublime knock of 122 runs, which included 10 fours. His innings helped England set a formidable target of 385 runs, leading to a convincing victory by 241 runs and giving England a 2-0 lead in the three-match series. During this innings, Root also surpassed Shivnarine Chanderpaul to become the eighth-highest run-scorer in Test cricket.
Vaughan was particularly impressed with Root’s strategic use of the reverse scoop shot, which he employed only after reaching his hundred and securing a substantial lead for his team. Root’s consistency and ability to score under pressure have made him a pivotal figure in England’s Test lineup.
“As the rock, Root is obviously key to that, and I love that he kept the reverse-scoop in the locker until he was past 100 and England’s lead was massive,” Vaughan added.
Chasing the records and beyond
Notably, Root is on the brink of breaking several English records currently held by Alastair Cook. He is just one century away from equalling Cook’s record for most Test hundreds by an England batter (33) and is only 532 runs short of surpassing Cook as the leading Test run-scorer for the national team. Additionally, Root is poised to become only the seventh batter in history to score 12,000 Test runs, having recently overtaken Brian Lara’s run-tally.
