If you were watching the Sydney Cricket Ground on January 5, 2026, you saw something that felt like a scripted ending to a decade-long obsession. Joe Root, sweat-soaked and grinning under that wide-brimmed sun hat, finally ticked the last box. 160 runs. His second century of the series. Most importantly, it was in Australia. For years, critics used his lack of a "Down Under" ton as a stick to beat him with, ignoring the mountain of runs he’d piled up everywhere else.
Now? That stick is broken.
Honestly, the England cricket Joe Root story isn't just about a guy who hits a ball well. It is a lesson in obsession. At 35, when most batters are starting to look at coaching gigs or commentary booths, Root is somehow getting better. He just finished the 2025/26 Ashes with two centuries, silencing the "he can’t do it in Australia" crowd forever. He has officially drawn level with Ricky Ponting on 41 Test centuries. Think about that for a second. Ponting is a literal deity in this sport, and the kid from Sheffield is now standing right next to him on the pedestal.
The Sachin Tendulkar Hunt: Is it actually happening?
Everyone is talking about it now. You can't escape it in the pubs or on the radio. Can Joe Root actually catch Sachin Tendulkar?
Let’s look at the cold, hard numbers. As of mid-January 2026, Root sits at 13,943 Test runs. Sachin’s mountain is 15,921. That leaves 1,978 runs to go. For most players, 2,000 runs is a lifetime. For Root? He’s scored over 6,000 runs since 2021 alone. If he keeps this "vibe" going for another two or three years, the record doesn't just look vulnerable—it looks like it’s already his.
But numbers are boring without context. What makes this version of Root so dangerous is the "Bazball" era. People thought Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum’s aggressive philosophy would ruin a classical technician like Root. They were wrong. Instead of fighting the change, Root evolved. He started playing the reverse-scoop over third man for six against 90mph bowlers. It's ridiculous. It's borderline disrespectful. And it’s working.
Why he’s different from the "Fab Four"
For a decade, we’ve lumped Root in with Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, and Kane Williamson. But the hierarchy has shifted.
- Virat Kohli has struggled to maintain his Test peak, with his average dipping into the 40s.
- Steve Smith remains a genius, but even he has shown signs of mortality lately.
- Kane Williamson is as steady as a rock, but injuries have limited his game time.
Then there’s Joe. He’s the engine room. He has played 163 Tests—far more than the others—and his fitness is basically freakish. While others rotate or take breaks, Root just keeps walking out to the middle. He’s currently the #1 ranked Test batter in the world with 880 points, holding off his own teammate Harry Brook. It’s a bit of a student vs. mentor situation at the top of the rankings right now, which is pretty cool to see.
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What most people get wrong about his captaincy exit
There is a weird myth that being stripped of the captaincy saved Joe Root's career. That's not quite right. He wasn't "stripped"—he stepped down because the weight of losing in the Caribbean and Australia back-to-back was crushing him. You could see it in his eyes in 2022.
The real shift wasn't just losing the "C" next to his name. It was the mental freedom. Since Ben Stokes took over, Root has been allowed to be a kid again. He bowls more (he's got 73 Test wickets now, which isn't nothing!), he fields at slip with a permanent smirk, and he plays shots that would have made a 2015-era Joe Root faint.
The pressure of leading an underperforming team was a leash. Now, the leash is gone.
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The India Factor
If you want to know why England cricket Joe Root is the goat of English batters, look at his record against India. He’s scored 13 centuries against them. Thirteen. He’s the only player in history to score over 3,000 Test runs against India. In the 2025 summer series, he hit three tons in five games. It didn't matter if it was the swing at Lord's or the flat track at Old Trafford; he just dismantled one of the best bowling attacks in the world like he was playing in his backyard.
The Sheffield Steel: Technical tweaks you might have missed
You’ve probably noticed he looks more "squat" at the crease lately. It’s a deliberate change. To deal with the extra bounce in Australia and the skiddy pace of the newer Indian quicks, Root lowered his center of gravity.
It’s subtle.
If you watch highlights from 2018, he stood quite tall. Now, he’s deeper in his stance, which gives him that extra millisecond to play the late cut—his signature move. He’s also stopped fidgeting. There’s a stillness to him now that reminds people of Jacques Kallis. He’s not trying to dominate the bowler from ball one; he’s just waiting for them to die of exhaustion.
What’s next for the "Rootometer"?
The schedule for 2026 is grueling, but that’s exactly how he likes it. With home series and more sub-continent tours on the horizon, the milestones are going to fall like dominoes.
- The 14,000 Run Mark: He’s only 57 runs away. He’ll likely hit this in the next match he plays.
- The Century Count: Passing Ponting (41) and chasing Kallis (45).
- The Retirement Question: He’s 35. He’s dropped hints that he might not make the 2029 Ashes, but honestly? If he’s still the best player in the world, why stop?
Actionable insights for cricket fans
If you're following Root's journey toward the record books, here is how to actually track his progress like a pro:
- Watch the Strike Rate: In the Bazball era, Root’s strike rate has jumped from the mid-50s to nearly 70 in certain series. If he’s scoring fast, he’s usually on track for a double-hundred.
- The "Conversion" Metric: He used to get stuck on 50s. Now, his conversion rate is elite. If he passes 60, bank on him getting 100.
- Follow the ICC Rankings: He and Harry Brook are in a genuine battle for the #1 spot. It’s rare to have two players from the same team fighting for the top crown; watch how they push each other.
- Check the Over Count: Root is becoming England’s primary "partnership breaker" with his off-spin. Don't ignore his bowling stats—he’s closing in on 100 Test wickets.
Joe Root isn't just a part of the England team; he is the foundation. Whether he breaks Sachin's record or not is almost secondary to the fact that we are watching the greatest technical batter England has ever produced, playing at the absolute peak of his powers. Enjoy it while it lasts. Players like this don't come around twice.
To stay updated on his specific run-tally towards the world record, keep an eye on the live ICC player performance trackers throughout the 2026 season.