England’s star batsman Joe Root is close to challenging Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar’s record of scoring most runs in Test cricket. Many believe the feat could be achieved during England’s future tour to India in 2028 as Root’s consistency will continue to cement him among the game’s all-time greats.
During the second Test against New Zealand at the Kia Oval in London, Root played another important innings and crossed the 14,000-run mark in Test cricket on the fourth day. He became the second batsman after Sachin Tendulkar to achieve the feat, strengthening his bid to top the all-time run-scoring charts.
Joe Root joins Sachin Tendulkar in elite list
Joe Root reached the mark of 14,000 runs in Test cricket During England’s second test against New Zealand. The former England captain achieved this feat in his 302nd Test innings, which is 23 more innings than Sachin Tendulkar. Root remained unbeaten on the fourth day after scoring 75 runs on 137 balls.
England had to face a tough challenge while chasing 463 runs in the fourth innings. The hosts slipped to 40/3 after losing early wickets, allowing New Zealand to take control. Root then took the innings forward by making an important partnership of 97 runs with Harry Brook, who played an aggressive inning of 58 runs before becoming the victim of Matt Henry.
Root has scored 14,073 Test runs and has come close to Tendulkar’s all-time record of 15,921 runs. With potentially many years of cricket to go, discussion has intensified over whether the England batsman could eventually become the highest run-scorer in Test cricket history.
Joe Root will break Sachin Tendulkar’s all-time Test record in Mumbai
Former England captain Michael Atherton shared statistical projections showing that Joe Root has a strong chance of surpassing Sachin Tendulkar as the highest run-scorer in Test cricket history.
“We asked Benedict to crunch the numbers, and he has crunched them and said he has a 71.3% chance of overtaking Sachin. And the chances of him doing so would be either in the first Test against South Africa in the summer of 2028, or perhaps in the last Test of the India tour at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai in early 2028.”
Will Joe Root overtake Sachin Tendulkar in terms of all-time Test runs scored? pic.twitter.com/0wABLDEkdl
– Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) June 21, 2026
The possibility of Root breaking Tendulkar’s record at the Wankhede Stadium adds another interesting layer to the race.
Joffra Archer’s three wickets keep England in the contest
Before Joe Root’s unbeaten half-century, Jofra Archer bowled a crucial spell to prevent New Zealand from setting an even bigger target. The fast bowler took three wickets in the second innings and played a key role in keeping England in the game at the Kia Oval.
Henry Nicholls got a lease of life on 42 when wicketkeeper James Reeve missed a difficult chance off Archer. The New Zealand batsman made the most of it, scoring his 11th Test century and adding 168 runs with Rachin Ravindra. He remained unbeaten on 119 runs on the third day.
After missing the chance from Daryl Mitchell, the fast bowler dismissed Nicholls with a delivery outside off stump, which found a thick edge. Harry Brook took a sharp catch at second slip to end the innings. Despite Archer’s efforts, Kyle Jamieson took late wickets as England ended the day at 182/5.
