“I’m not finished yet”: Joe Root sets sights on Sachin Tendulkar’s Test world record after surpassing Gavaskar and Cook in the Pakistan vs England series

Joe Root is making waves in the cricketing world as he surpasses some of the sport’s legends. After breaking Alastair Cook’s all-time English record and surpassing Sunil Gavaskar’s century tally, Root has now set his sights on Sachin Tendulkar’s illustrious record for the most runs in Test cricket.

A Historic Milestone

During Day 3 of the first Test against Pakistan in Multan, Root reached a remarkable milestone by smashing his 35th Test century. This achievement allowed him to surpass the legendary Sunil Gavaskar on the all-time list for Test centuries. Additionally, Root’s innings of 71 during England’s first innings enabled him to surpass Cook’s total of 12,472 runs, further cementing his place in cricket history.

With this milestone, Root has moved into fifth place on the all-time run-scorers list, trailing only the likes of Tendulkar (15,921 runs), Ricky Ponting (13,378), Jacques Kallis (13,289), and Rahul Dravid (13,288). Notably, all four players ahead of him are retired, putting Root in a strong position to challenge their records, especially if he can maintain his form and fitness.

Looking Ahead

Despite his impressive achievements, Root remains focused on enjoying the game rather than fixating on records. “The only reason it (Cook’s record) is on my mind is because people keep asking me about it,” Root said. “I see myself playing Test cricket for a lot longer. It’s not like I’m going to get to a certain mark and say, ‘Right, I’m done now.’ I just want to keep enjoying the game, keep playing.”

Root’s determination and confidence suggest that he is not only aiming to cement his legacy but also to challenge Tendulkar’s record. His solid performances have made him a consistent threat at the crease, as evidenced by his remarkable batting average of over 50 and the fact that he has passed the 1,000-run mark in a year five times.

Dominating Pakistan

In the current series against Pakistan, Root has demonstrated his prowess by flattening the opposition with marathon knocks. His technical excellence and ability to adapt his game have allowed him to flourish, showcasing a variety of shots while also adopting a more disciplined approach. During the recent summer tests against the West Indies and Sri Lanka, he showed maturity by reining in some of the reckless batting that characterized the early days of the “Bazball” era under coach Brendon McCullum.

As he aims to break Tendulkar’s record, Root continues to solidify his position as one of the greats of the game. With his recent form and the confidence he exudes, cricket fans will be eager to see how far he can go in his pursuit of history.

Conclusion

Joe Root’s journey in Test cricket is far from over. With an unwavering determination to enjoy the game and a focus on his goals, he is poised to challenge records and further enhance his legacy in the world of cricket. As he continues to break barriers and achieve milestones, all eyes will be on Root as he pursues Tendulkar’s remarkable record in the years to come.