Joe Root inches closer to Tendulkar’s Test record — can he break it by early 2028?

Joe Root is closing in on Sachin Tendulkar’s all-time Test runs record faster than expected — and early 2028 could mark the moment he overtakes the Indian legend.

How is Joe Root closing the gap so quickly?

Root’s scoring rate in Tests has surged since England adopted Bazball under Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes. Since the duo took charge in 2022, Root averages over 55 runs per innings in home Tests — a pace that would see him surpass Tendulkar’s 15,921 runs in roughly 20 more matches. His last two home series against Pakistan and New Zealand yielded centuries at a strike rate above 60, a sharp rise from his pre-2022 average of 48.

What’s driving this surge in Joe Root’s scoring?

England’s aggressive tactics have unlocked Root’s natural aggression. Gone are the days of slow accumulation; now he’s attacking from ball one. In the 2024 home summer, Root hit 1,200 runs at a strike rate of 62, including a 200 off 180 against Sri Lanka in June. His cover-drive and back-foot punch remain his signature shots, but his shot selection has broadened to include reverse sweeps and ramp shots off spinners.

Why early 2028? The math behind the milestone

Tendulkar’s record stands at 15,921 runs from 200 Tests. Root, now 35, has 11,500 runs in 138 Tests. At his current scoring rate of 65 runs per innings in home Tests, he’d need about 45 innings to reach the target. With England’s packed home schedule through 2027 — including Ashes 2027 and home summers in 2025 and 2026 — he could hit the milestone in the first Test of 2028.

What stands in Root’s way?

Age and workload loom large. Root turns 38 in December 2028, and England’s rotation policy may sideline him from some home Tests. His last two away series in India and Australia were grueling, with averages below 30. Fitness and form will dictate whether he plays every home summer through 2027 — or if he peaks too early.

Can anyone else break the record before Root?

Australia’s Steve Smith is the closest challenger, with 9,300 runs at 58.2 per innings. But Smith turns 39 in June 2028, and his recent form dips against spin have slowed his pace. India’s Virat Kohli, at 37, has slowed too — averaging 42 in 2024. Root’s blend of technique, fitness, and England’s home-heavy schedule give him the clearest path to the summit.