Currently, Root has 13,409 runs in the Test format and needs 2512 runs to reach the summit.
England’s star batter Joe Root has been on a record-breaking spree in recent times. He went past as many as three batters on the all-time Test batting list during his 150-run knock on Day 3 of the Manchester Test against India.
After going past Rahul Dravid and Jacques Kallis before Lunch, Root surpassed Australian legend Ricky Ponting before Tea on Friday (July 25) to become the second-highest run scorer in the longest format.
Root celebrated the milestone day by getting to his 38th Test hundred, drawing level with Sri Lankan great Kumar Sangakkara on the all-time list of Test batters with most three-figure scores.
When Root scored his 120th run, he moved to No. 2 in the list of batters with most Test runs, taking his tally past Ponting's 13,378. Now, the only one batter with more Test runs than English talisman is the Indian icon Sachin Tendulkar, who has 15,921 runs to his credit from 200 matches.
After the third day’s play at Old Trafford, England batter Ollie Pope backed Joe Root to eventually go past Tendulkar in the elusive list. Currently, Root has 13,409 runs and needs 2512 runs to reach the summit.
“I think he loves playing for England in Test cricket more than anything. So I am sure, if his body allows, then I am sure he will have the hunger to play. I'm not sure how many games he needs. He'll obviously be driven to be the No.1,” Pope told reporters.
“He just wants to keep playing for as long as he can. The excitement he still has to play Test cricket whenever we rock up, he has the biggest smile on his face right at the start of a series. So, I wouldn't be surprised if he can chase it down because of the hunger he has,” he added.
Pope revealed Root wasn't aware of how many runs he needed to go past Ponting in the leading run-scorers list, but added that the milestone is definitely cool and something to be proud of.
“No, he would not have been aware of that. I don't think he's a big one for landmarks. He's not a massive one for that, but I think it was pretty cool today. Becoming the second-highest run-scorer is just incredible. I'm sure he knew what the number was. He is not a guy who wants to be shy about those things as well,” said Pope.
Coming to the Manchester Test, the visitors are staring at innings defeat. England have racked up 544/7 at stumps on Day 3, with their lead extending close to 200 after India were bowled out for 358 in the first innings.