Former England captains Michael Atherton and Michael Vaughan have predicted that Joe Root will break Sachin Tendulkar’s record for most runs in Test cricket. This comes after Joe Root, during his knock of 150 in the ongoing 4th Test in Manchester against India, became the second-highest run-getter in Test history.

During his knock, Root went past legends like Rahul Dravid (13288), Jacques Kallis (13289), and Ricky Ponting (13378) in the list of most runs in Test cricket. Now only Sachin Tendulkar, with 15921 runs in 200 Tests, is ahead of Joe Root, who has 13409 runs in 157 Tests with one inning to go in this match.

As condolences flooded in for the 34-year-old Englishman, Michael Vaughan, the former captain of England, stood out for making a daring forecast.

“Sachin is a god. We know that. But I absolutely believe Joe Root will go past Tendulkar. I've looked into my crystal ball… I think it'll be the fourth Test in 2027 against Australia. Pat Cummins will bowl one on his hip, Root will glance it, and he'll go past Sachin. That's the dream. That's the crystal ball,” Vaughan said on Cricbuzz.

Karthik, amused but respectful, replied, “Let's start by saying Sachin Tendulkar is not a Yorkie, even though he played one season there. But jokes apart, I think Root will get within touching distance. Whether he goes past it...”  

Joe Root hit the 38th Test hundred of his career and drew level with Kumar Sangakkara, with Ricky Ponting (41), Jacques Kallis (45), and Sachin Tendulkar (51) ahead of him in the list for most centuries in Tests.

According to former England captain and opener Mike Atherton, Root might end up surpassing Tendulkar in less than three years’ time in the twilight of his career.

“Root averages about 85 runs a Test match, so he’d likely need 30 Test matches to get up to Sachin (Tendulkar) to claim the Test record. You never know what lies ahead in terms of freak injuries; sport can be a cruel mistress, but given a fair wind, he should be up to Tendulkar in around two and a half years.

Given how he’s playing right now—the best he’s ever played—and given there’s no diminishing of his love and desire for the game, the numbers will take care of themselves.” Atherton said on Sky Sports.

Don Bradman's record for most Test hundreds at home against a single opponent was broken by Root in the process; he scored nine of his twelve Test hundreds against India at home, compared to the Australian legend's eight against England.