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England‘s premier Test batter, Joe Root, has once again captivated the cricketing world with an extraordinary display of batting prowess during the ongoing fourth Test against India at Manchester. His latest century propelled him to unprecedented heights, not only cementing his place as the second-highest run-scorer in Test history but also reigniting the fervent debate about his potential to surpass Sachin Tendulkar‘s seemingly unassailable record for most Test runs. This discussion has been significantly amplified by former India head coach Ravi Shastri’s bold prediction.
Joe Root’s historic climb and Ravi Shastri’s prophetic vision for Sachin Tendulkar’s record
Root’s masterclass on Day 3 of the Manchester Test saw him smash his 38th Test century, a monumental knock of 150 runs off 248 balls. This innings was particularly significant as it propelled him past cricketing luminaries like Rahul Dravid, Jacques Kallis and Ricky Ponting, securing his position as the second all-time highest run-scorer in Test history with 13,409 runs at an average of 51.17. Root’s ascent has directly fueled discussions about his chances of eclipsing Tendulkar’s formidable record of 15,921 runs.
Speaking to Sky sports Cricket after Day 3 play, former Indian head coach Shastri, a keen observer of the game, weighed in on this very debate, making a ‘massive claim’ that Root has a realistic opportunity to dethrone Tendulkar. Shastri believes that if Root continues to play for ‘another 3.5 to 4 years,’ this seemingly ‘unachievable’ record is ‘gettable.’
“The more England win, the more it will keep Root in that frame of mind to play. He needs another 3.5 to 4 years. If he is there that length of time, that record, which no one thought was achievable, is gettable. If he does get it, no one will pass that,” Shastri said.
Shastri attributed Root’s strong prospects to England’s winning momentum under the aggressive captaincy of Ben Stokes, which keeps Root in a positive frame of mind, alongside his relatively young age of 34 and his inherent fluency at the crease. Shastri further remarked that “It’s very much on the cards. The good thing is he has got a good captain in Stokes, who likes to win. He likes to take the game forward and encourages players to get on the front foot and go hard,” highlighting the conducive environment for Root’s continued success. Root’s 38th Test century also saw him draw level with former Sri Lankan great Kumar Sangakkara for the fourth spot in terms of most Test centuries.
Revival of Joe Root’s conversion rate in Test cricket
Beyond the all-time run-scoring charts, Root’s innings at Old Trafford showcased several other remarkable aspects of his batting. His 12th Test century against India is now the most by any batter against them, a testament to his consistent performance against one of the top cricketing nations. This also makes him the third all-time for most Test centuries against a single opponent. This “inevitability” is now supported by a significant improvement in Root’s conversion rate – a point of criticism earlier in his career. Prior to 2021, Root’s conversion rate of 50-plus scores into hundreds stood at 34.47%, but since 2024, it has dramatically improved to 53.13%, showcasing his enhanced ability to capitalize on starts.
Playing his 157th Test, Root’s consistency is also reflected in his 103 scores of 50-plus, which is the joint-second most for any batter in Test history. His record also includes being the first Englishman to score 7,000 Test runs at home, and with 3,100-plus runs against India at an average exceeding 55 (including 12 tons and 12 fifties), he stands as the highest run-getter in India-England Tests, surpassing Steve Smith‘s record for most Test hundreds against India. Root’s heroics in Manchester helped England reach a dominant 544/7 at stumps on Day 3, securing a massive lead of 186 runs and reinforcing their 2-1 series lead against India.
Also READ: ENG vs IND: Joe Root surpasses Ricky Ponting with a monumental feat on Day 3 of the Manchester Test
