Explained: Joe Root reaches a milestone — can he break Sachin Tendulkar’s record?

Dubai: It wasn’t his most fluent knock — but it was one of his most historic.

At Trent Bridge, in front of a sun-soaked crowd and the familiar hum of early summer, Joe Root quietly stepped into cricketing immortality. A gentle nudge was all it took for the England batter to become the fastest in history to 13,000 Test runs — another feather in the cap of England’s most consistent modern-day player.

Earlier in the day, England’s top order had made light work of Zimbabwe’s bowling in their first Test meeting in 22 years. Openers Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley both hit their fifth Test centuries, while No. 3 Ollie Pope surged to an unbeaten 169. England finished the day in complete control at 498 for 3, with Harry Brook on nine.

Root, walking in needing 28 to reach the milestone, was eventually dismissed for 34 after falling to a short-ball ploy from Blessing Muzarabani. But by then, the history books had already been rewritten. Root reached the landmark in his 153rd Test, six fewer than Jacques Kallis, whose record he eclipsed. He remains the first and only England batter to enter the 13,000 club — and joins an elite group featuring Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, Kallis, and Rahul Dravid.

The moment came in the 80th over: a quick single off Victor Nyauchi to midwicket, followed by modest applause and a quiet raise of the bat. It was classic Root — understated, effective, and deeply respected.

Statistically, the 34-year-old is still in his prime. Over the last two years, Root has amassed 2,343 runs from 25 Tests at an average of 55.57. His career average sits at 50.80 — a mark of his enduring class across formats and conditions.

Can Root catch Tendulkar?

The Indian great’s record of 15,921 Test runs remains the Everest in men’s cricket. Root is now 2,915 runs behind. If he maintains his current form and fitness, he would need roughly 55 innings — or about three full seasons — to reach that summit.

Much will depend on his performances this year. England face India in a five-Test home series beginning June 20, followed by the Ashes in Australia — where Root’s average drops to 35.68. In those conditions, he will have to contend with bowlers who’ve troubled him before: Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja.

Rewriting cricket history

Though he reached 13,000 runs in fewer matches than Tendulkar or Kallis, Root’s 279 innings to the mark are more than Tendulkar’s 266 and Kallis’ 269. The road ahead won’t be easy — but few doubt his capability.

Root has already secured his place in cricketing history. Whether he can rewrite the final chapter of it — by surpassing Tendulkar — remains uncertain. But if the past two years are any indication, the chase is well and truly on. And cricket will be richer for watching him try. The chase begins on June 20 against India when the new World Test Championship cycle begins.