Former England captain Alastair Cook has tipped Joe Root to potentially surpass Sachin Tendulkar’s all-time leading Test runs total.
The legendary Indian batsman holds the record with 15,921 runs. However, Cook believes that 33-year-old Joe Root, who has currently amassed 12,402 runs in 146 matches, has the potential to eclipse this milestone.
Speaking during a BBC radio commentary, Cook expressed confidence in Root’s longevity and hunger for the game. “I can see him overhauling Sachin Tendulkar’s record,” Cook stated. “You could say Sachin is still the favorite but just. I don’t see that happening for Root to lose that hunger and ability to keep driving himself forward for the next couple of years.”
Root’s remarkable achievements have been widely celebrated, including by current England captain Ben Stokes, who is missing the first Test due to injury. Stokes praised Root’s selflessness and team-first mentality in a video shared on the England and Wales Cricket Board’s social media channels. “The selflessness that he has is an incredible attribute for him,” Stokes said. “He always puts the team first, and the fact that he’s got so many runs is just a bonus for us. He’s an incredible player.”
The accolades for Joe Root extend beyond his current teammates. Former England captains Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain also paid tribute to Root’s illustrious career. Atherton, reflecting on Root’s debut in Nagpur against India in 2012, remarked, “Twelve years of excellence is exactly what it has been. I was there in Nagpur, I thought: ‘This guy’s going to be one of our greats,’ But you’ve still got to do that.”
Hussain echoed these sentiments, highlighting Root’s skill and demeanor. “He has graced us with such amazing ability and shots and temperament and hunger, and throughout those 12 years he’s played with a smile on his face, which we all know is not easy,” Hussain commented.
Currently, Joe Root is in formidable form, poised to achieve a triple century in Multan as he remains unbeaten on 259 off 368 balls. His partnership with Harry Brook, who has also scored a blistering 200, has set a mammoth 409-run stand. England has responded emphatically to Pakistan’s first innings total of 556, posting 658 for 3 on Day 4 of the first Test.
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