Joe Root Nears ‘Elite Club’: Just 48 Runs Away from Matching Sachin Tendulkar’s Iconic 14,000-Test Milestone

Cricket fans around the world are witnessing a potentially historic moment as Joe Root edges closer to one of the most revered milestones in Test cricket. The England star needs just 48 runs in the ongoing second Test against New Zealand national cricket team at The Oval to join the legendary Sachin Tendulkar in the exclusive 14,000-run club.

Currently leading England in the absence of Ben Stokes, Root has already cemented his place as one of the modern greats. With 13,952 runs in 164 Tests, he is England’s highest run-scorer in the longest format and now stands on the verge of rewriting history.

What makes this achievement even more remarkable is the stature of the name he is chasing. Tendulkar, often hailed as the “God of Cricket,” finished his illustrious career with 15,921 Test runs — a record that has stood the test of time. “To even be mentioned in the same breath as Tendulkar is a testament to Root’s consistency and class,” cricket experts have often remarked.

A Rare Milestone Beckons

If Root crosses the 14,000-run mark, he will become only the second player in Test history to do so. The elite list of highest run-scorers currently reads:

• Sachin Tendulkar – 15,921 runs
• Joe Root – 13,952 runs
• Ricky Ponting – 13,378 runs
• Jacques Kallis – 13,289 runs
• Rahul Dravid – 13,288 runs

Notably, Root could reach the milestone in his 165th Test, highlighting his incredible pace compared to many legends of the game.

More Records Within Reach

The 14,000-run landmark isn’t the only milestone on Root’s radar. Against New Zealand, he is also closing in on becoming the first player to score 2,000 Test runs against the Black Caps. With 1,934 runs already in 22 matches, he needs just 66 more runs to achieve this feat.

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Across formats, Root’s dominance against New Zealand is equally impressive. He has accumulated 3,106 international runs against them and is just 62 runs away from surpassing both Virat Kohli and Ricky Ponting to move into second place among players with the most runs against the Kiwis.

At the top of that list sits none other than Tendulkar, who scored 3,345 runs against New Zealand — yet another reminder of the elite company Root is inching closer to.

Dominance in World Test Championship

Root’s impact goes beyond bilateral records. In the ICC World Test Championship, he is already the leading run-scorer as a captain. Another milestone awaits him here as well — he needs 165 runs to become the first skipper in history to score 3,000 runs in the competition.

A Legacy in the Making

From his debut in 2012 to becoming England’s batting backbone, Root’s journey has been defined by discipline, adaptability, and hunger for runs. As the second Test unfolds at The Oval, all eyes remain on the 33-year-old, who stands just a few strokes away from joining cricket’s most exclusive club.

“History isn’t just knocking — it’s waiting at the crease for Joe Root,” and the coming innings could very well etch his name alongside the greatest the game has ever seen.