Joe Root to break Sachin Tendulkar’s all-time Test record in Mumbai

Star England batter Joe Root is close to challenging Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar’s record for the all-time run-getter in Test cricket. Many believe the landmark could be reached during England’s future tour of India in 2028 as Root’s consistency continues to place him among the game’s all-time greats.

During the second Test against New Zealand at The Kia Oval in London, Root played another crucial innings and crossed the 14,000-run mark in Test cricket on Day 4. He became only the second batter after Sachin Tendulkar to achieve the milestone, strengthening his bid to top the all-time run-scoring charts.

Joe Root Joins Sachin Tendulkar In Elite List

Joe Root reached the 14,000-run mark in Test cricket during England’s second Test against New Zealand. The former England captain achieved the milestone in his 302nd Test innings, 23 innings more than Sachin Tendulkar. Root ended Day 4 unbeaten on 75 off 137 balls.

England faced a difficult challenge while chasing 463 runs in the fourth innings. The hosts slipped to 40/3 after losing early wickets, putting New Zealand in control. Root then steadied the innings with a crucial 97-run partnership alongside Harry Brook, who played an attacking knock of 58 runs before falling to Matt Henry.

Root has scored 14,073 Test runs, moving closer to Tendulkar’s all-time record of 15,921 runs. With several years of cricket potentially ahead of him, discussions have intensified about whether the England batter can eventually become the highest run-scorer in Test cricket history.

Former England skipper Michael Atherton shared statistical projections showing that Joe Root has a strong chance of overtaking Sachin Tendulkar as the highest run-scorer in Test cricket history.

“We got Benedict to do the numbers, and he’s crunched them and says he’s got a 71.3% chance of going past Sachin. And he’s likely to do it either in the first Test of the 2028 summer against South Africa, or maybe in the last Test of the India tour in early 2028 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.”

Will Joe Root pass Sachin Tendulkar for all-time Test runs scored? 💭 pic.twitter.com/0wABLDEkdl

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) June 21, 2026

The possibility of Root breaking Tendulkar’s record at the Wankhede Stadium adds another fascinating layer to the race.

Jofra Archer’s Three-Wicket Spell Keeps England in the Contest

Before Joe Root’s unbeaten fifty, Jofra Archer produced a crucial spell to stop New Zealand from setting an even bigger target. The fast bowler took three wickets in the second innings and played a key role in keeping England in the game at The Kia Oval.

Henry Nicholls got a lifeline on 42 when wicketkeeper James Rew dropped a tough chance off Archer’s bowling. The New Zealand batter made the most of it, scoring his 11th Test century and adding 168 runs with Rachin Ravindra. He finished Day 3 unbeaten on 119.

After a dropped chance off Daryl Mitchell, the pacer removed Nicholls with a delivery outside off stump that found a thick edge. Harry Brook took a sharp catch at second slip to end the innings. Despite Archer’s efforts, Kyle Jamieson picked up late wickets as England closed the day on 182/5.