He was never supposed to be the one. Back in the early 2010s, if you’d asked any scout at Headingley who would eventually hunt down Sachin Tendulkar’s "unbreakable" Test run record, they might have pointed to a dozen different prodigies before settling on the skinny kid with the cheeky grin from Sheffield. Honestly, Joe Root looked more like a mascot than a future all-time great when he made his debut in Nagpur.
But here we are in January 2026. The dust has barely settled on the latest Ashes series in Australia. While the team result was another tough pill to swallow for England fans—a 4-1 defeat—the individual narrative has shifted entirely.
Joe Root didn't just survive. He dominated.
For over a decade, the knock on Root was his inability to score a century on Australian soil. Critics like Rodney Hogg practically made a career out of saying Root’s technique—that "under the nose" poking and dabbing—was food for Aussie slips. Well, that ghost is officially dead. After 163 Tests and a mountain of runs, Root has finally conquered his final frontier.
The 2026 Reality: Is Sachin’s Record Actually Under Threat?
Let’s talk numbers, but not the boring kind. Basically, Joe Root is currently sitting on 13,943 Test runs.
He just finished the Ashes with 400 runs across five matches, including two massive centuries. The first came under the lights at the Gabba, and the second was a defiant 160 at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) just days ago. That Sydney ton was his 41st Test century.
Think about that.
He’s now level with Ricky Ponting. Only Jacques Kallis (45) and Sachin Tendulkar (51) stand above him.
🔗 Read more: Hulk Hogan Lifting Andre the Giant: What Really Happened at WrestleMania III
The gap to Sachin’s all-time record of 15,921 runs is now exactly 1,978 runs. It sounds like a lot. In most eras, it would be a career’s worth of work. But Root isn't playing like a man in the twilight of his career. At 35, he’s in a "purple patch" that has lasted roughly five years.
Why the momentum favors the Englishman
Since 2021, Root has been a literal run machine.
He has smashed 24 centuries in that period alone. To put that in perspective, Steve Smith—the man many considered the superior Test batter for years—has only managed 10 in the same timeframe.
Root has flipped the script.
He used to be the guy who scored a beautiful 70 and then got out playing a lazy drive. Now? He’s greedy. He stays at the crease until the bowlers are physically exhausted. England’s relentless schedule also helps. Between now and the end of 2027, England are slated to play roughly 20 more Tests. If Root maintains even a fraction of his current form, he’ll be passing Tendulkar sometime in late 2027 or early 2028.
What Most People Get Wrong About "Bazball" and Root
There's this common misconception that the aggressive "Bazball" era under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum would ruin Joe Root. People thought he’d feel forced to slogging.
Actually, it’s done the opposite.
It took the weight off his shoulders. When he was captain, Root looked like he carried the weight of the entire British Isles every time he walked out to bat. He admits he wasn't always the best husband or father during that time because the stress followed him home.
💡 You might also like: Formula One Points Table Explained: Why the Math Matters More Than the Racing
Now, he’s just a batter again. Or, more accurately, the "anchor" that allows the likes of Harry Brook to go ballistic at the other end. That partnership between Root and Brook has become the backbone of the England cricket team. In Multan in late 2024, they put on 454 runs together—a world-record fourth-wicket stand. Root ended that innings with 262, his highest ever Test score.
He’s found a way to be aggressive without being reckless. You’ll still see the reverse scoop for six off a 90mph pacer, sure. But you’ll also see the classic, gritty Yorkshire defense that has served him since he was a teenager at Abbeydale Park.
The Sheffield Steel: A Career Built on Evolution
Root's career isn't just a straight line of success. It’s been a series of "re-inventions."
- The Early Years (2012-2016): The baby-faced opener who moved to number 5 and looked like he’d never miss a ball.
- The Captaincy Grind (2017-2022): 64 Tests in charge. Most wins (27) but also most losses (26). This era nearly broke him, especially that 2021-22 Ashes debacle.
- The Renaissance (2022-Present): Post-captaincy freedom. This is where he became a statistical outlier, averaging nearly 60 since handing the reins to Stokes.
He’s the first England player to reach 10,000 Test runs and 13,000 Test runs. He owns the record for most Test centuries for England. He even has the most ODI centuries (19) for his country, though he’s moved away from the shorter formats lately to preserve his body for the red-ball chase.
Honestly, his longevity is the most underrated part of his game. While Virat Kohli has stepped away from Test cricket and Steve Smith’s powers show signs of human frailty, Root looks as fit as he did at 25. He’s currently ranked No. 1 in the ICC Test Batting Rankings with 867 points. He isn't just hanging on; he’s leading the pack.
The Challenges Ahead: Can He Stay Fit?
No one is invincible.
Root is 35. The back issues that have occasionally flared up are always a concern for a man who spends six hours a day bent over a bat. Plus, England's schedule is brutal. The upcoming tours of South Africa and Bangladesh in late 2026 will be physically taxing.
📖 Related: El Paso Locomotive FC Standings: Why the 2025 Surge Changes Everything for 2026
Then there's the mental side. Graham Gooch recently noted that the biggest hurdle for Root won't be the bowlers, but the "mental fatigue" of the grind. It's one thing to want the record; it's another to stay motivated for the 150th anniversary Test at the MCG in 2027 or another grueling home summer against India.
But if you watch him celebrate a century, that "cheeky kid" is still there. He still loves it.
Actions Speak Louder: How to Appreciate the Root Era
If you’re a cricket fan, we are currently witnessing the greatest career in the history of England cricket. It's easy to get caught up in the "Bazball" highlights, but the real story is the guy at the other end quietly accumulating 150.
For those looking to follow this historic chase over the next 18 months, keep an eye on these specific milestones:
- The 14,000-Run Mark: He’s just 57 runs away. He’ll likely hit this in the first session of his next Test match.
- Passing Jacques Kallis: Four more centuries will put him second on the all-time list for Test hundreds.
- The 2027 Ashes: This will likely be his final stand against the old enemy at home. It’s where he could realistically crown himself as the all-time run-scorer.
To truly understand his impact, don't just look at the scorecards. Watch his footwork against spin—there isn't a better player of the turning ball in the world. Watch how he manipulates the field with those late dabs to third man. It’s a masterclass in "batting sense" that we might not see again for another fifty years.
Joe Root isn't just England's best batter. He’s becoming the definitive Test batter of his generation. The debate isn't whether he belongs in the "Fab Four" anymore—it's how far ahead of the other three he can actually finish.
Next time England takes the field, take a minute to really watch him. We're counting down the innings now. Every run is a step closer to a record that was once considered untouchable.
Stay updated on the official ICC rankings and the ECB's upcoming schedule to track every milestone. The journey from 14,000 to 15,922 is the biggest story in world cricket right now, and it’s happening one cover drive at a time.