Former England batter Nick Compton believes Joe Root can surpass India batting great Sachin Tendulkar's record for most Test runs.
Tendulkar scored 15,921 runs in the longest format for India throughout the course of his 24-year Test career, averaging 53.80. Joe Root has amassed 10,285 runs at an average of 50.17 in 121 Test matches thus far. In the just-finished Test series against New Zealand, which England won 3-0, Root scored two centuries.
In an interaction with Sportskeeda, Compton said, "I think he can. He’s young and is right up there with Tendulkar in terms of runs scored at 31. Barring a loss of fitness or a major injury, it’s hard not to see someone playing like him scoring runs."
Compton, who was born in South Africa and played in 16 Tests for England between 2012 and 2016, stated that Root must continue in his current form to keep collecting runs to his name.
“Joe is an incredible player. When you think of his consistency, he scores runs every time he bats. I think there will come a point when the runs dry up or he has a tough series,” said the 39-year-old retired batter.
“Between now and Tendulkar’s record, if he can keep going like this, he’ll get there. If there’s a big slump in his form, how will he respond and get through that? That will be the next big challenge for him. At the moment, there’s nothing stopping him. It would be an amazing achievement if he breaks Tendulkar’s record.”
The only active player to achieve 10,000 runs in the Test format is Root, who last month also secured the top spot in the ICC rankings. And with his two hundreds against the Black Caps, he has now equaled Steve Smith and Virat Kohli for the most centuries (27) among active cricketers.
For the most Test runs, Joe Root has already overtaken players like Sunil Gavaskar, Younis Khan, and Hashim Amla. With 12,472 runs, Alastair Cook continues to be the highest run-getter for England in Test cricket.
(Sportskeeda inputs)
