England’s batting maestro Joe Root has added another historic chapter to his illustrious career during the fourth Test against India at Old Trafford, Manchester. On Day 3 of the high-stakes encounter, Root etched his name deeper into the annals of cricket history by surpassing both Rahul Dravid and Jacques Kallis to become the third-highest run-scorer in the history of Test cricket.
Needing just 31 runs to overtake Kallis’ tally of 13,289, Root achieved the milestone with a single in the 58th over, reinforcing his reputation as one of the most consistent and prolific batters in the modern era. Root’s latest feat puts him behind only Ricky Ponting (13,378) and the legendary Sachin Tendulkar (15,921) in the all-time Test run-scoring charts.
Adding to the drama, Root didn’t stop at that. He went on to score his 38th Test century in the same innings, drawing level with Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara in the list of players with the most Test hundreds. He now stands just behind Jacques Kallis (45), Ricky Ponting (41), and Tendulkar (51) in the elite club of century-makers.
Cricketing great Ricky Ponting reacted with high praise for Root’s consistency and ambition, boldly predicting that the England star could one day surpass even Tendulkar’s long-standing record.
“Joe’s hunger for runs and the way he adapts in every condition reminds me of the very best. If he continues this way, Sachin’s record is very much within reach,” said Ponting.
Root, who made his Test debut in 2012, has been a pillar of strength for England—especially in the post-Alastair Cook era—showcasing unmatched consistency over the past five years. Currently ranked as the No.1 Test batter in the world, he remains the backbone of England’s red-ball setup.
As the thrilling IND vs ENG series continues to captivate fans with its intensity and drama, Joe Root’s record-breaking spree has added another layer of brilliance. With age on his side and form that seems untouchable, the question is no longer if, but when he will rewrite more records and perhaps challenge the greatest Test mark of all: Sachin Tendulkar’s 15,921 runs.
