When will Joe Root overtake Sachin Tendulkar as Test Cricket’s top scorer?

England’s modern-day batting legend Joe Root is no longer chasing numbers in Test cricket. Joe Root is pursuing a place in cricketing history that once seemed almost unimaginable.

Joe Root is the only active cricketer who has a realistic chance of breaking Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar’s world record in Test cricket. Tendulkar, the most perfect hitter of his era, holds the prestigious record for most Test runs to his credit with 15,921 runs in 200 matches.

Joe Root vs Sachin Tendulkar: A realistic timeline to test cricket’s runs record

The former England captain might never have thought of breaking this record in the future when he started leading red-ball cricket. But now it is no longer a distant dream as he is just 1,984 runs away from breaking Tendulkar’s world record and achieving cricketing immortality.

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It’s a slow, emotional journey that unfolds game after game, inning after inning, often quietly, but with enormous weight behind each run. The question is no longer if the right-hander can surpass Tendulkar’s all-time record, but when. By dissecting its current form, England’s busy schedule and the inevitable age-related challenges, we project a clear path to history.

The Run Gap: breaking down the 1,984

Sachin Tendulkar’s final tally of 15,921 runs remained high in Tests for over a decade. On the other hand, Joe Root’s consistency has taken him to 13,937 runs, making the chase almost realistic. The distance is nevertheless important, but the Englishman’s recent form makes it a real opportunity.

Over the past three years, Root has shown what true stamina looks like in modern Test cricket. From 2023 to 2025, the former England captain has scored 3,148 runs in 35 Tests. There were no shortcuts, no lucky streaks. Just long days at the crease, battles against some of the best bowling attacks and the mental strain that only Test cricket brings.

Nearly 45 runs per innings and nearly 90 runs per Test tell the story of Root’s remarkable consistency and testify to his endurance in an era when Test cricket is constantly under pressure.

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The projection: how many tests will it require?

At this rate, Joe Root would need around 44-45 innings, or around 22-23 Tests, to break Tendulkar’s world record in Tests. England’s upcoming Test schedule almost feels like it was written for that pursuit.

England’s future schedule:

– 2026: 3 Tests against New Zealand at home, 3 Tests against Pakistan at home, 3 Tests in South Africa

– 2027: 2 Tests in Bangladesh, 5 Ashes Tests at home, and expected series against the West Indies and Sri Lanka

That’s already 11 Tests on the Horizon. And England typically play close to 12 to 14 Tests a year, meaning the record could be within reach by the end of the 2027 season.

Even if Root gets injured, faces a decline in form, and even if his body requires rest, the road to greatness remains open for the Englishman. Checking all scenarios, Root might need around 50 innings to break Tendulkar’s Test record in the 2027-2029 cycle.