England batter Joe Root is on a record-breaking spree in Test cricket lately. During the recently held Test series against Sri Lanka, he overtook Sir Alastair Cook to become the most century maker for England in the longest format of the game.
Considering Root’s prolific form in recent years, discussions have started about whether the England batter can break Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar's record of 15921 runs, the most ever by a batter in Test cricket.
Recently, former England skipper Michael Vaughan said he is certain that it's only a matter of time before Root stands at the pinnacle of Test cricket unless something unfortunate happens.
However, Vaughan believes if such a thing happens, the BCCI will do everything possible in its power to ensure that the record is eventually awarded to an Indian.
“If Joe goes past Sachin, it will be the best thing that ever happens to cricket, because there's no way BCCI would want an England player at the top of the list. They'll want an Indian at the top so that will secure Test match cricket because it'll take forever for someone to get past him," Vaughan said on Club Prairie Fire podcast.
Michael Vaughan’s comment was not well received by former India opener Sunil Gavaskar, who asked what’s wrong with Test cricket currently when Tendulkar is holding the record.
“This business of India bashing has to be countered with aggression because that’s the only language they understand. Recently, I heard someone saying it would be good for Test cricket if Joe Root overtook Sachin Tendulkar’s record for most runs and centuries in Test match cricket,” Gavaskar wrote in his column for Sportstar.
“Please tell us what’s wrong with Test cricket presently when Tendulkar is owning the record and how will Test cricket be better if (and that’s a huge if) an Englishman goes on to hold it. In what way will it be better? Kindly enlighten us,” he added.
Gavaskar also expressed surprise at the notion that BCCI does not like Test cricket even though the Indian team plays considerable number of red-ball games every season.
“For some strange reason, there’s a perception overseas that BCCI does not like Test cricket. That’s a ridiculous notion, as India play more than half a dozen Test matches every season, be it at home or away. Just because the IPL is massively successful doesn’t mean BCCI is not interested in promoting Test cricket, but that’s the narrative that’s being peddled by the overseas media,” he stated.
Gavaskar also pointed out how England winning more Test matches in the ongoing WTC cycle has prompted the ICC to host the final at Lord’s next year.
“The ICC just announced that the WTC final will be played at Lord’s next June. Well, we have heard the same declaration twice earlier, but as soon as it’s seen that England is not going to qualify for the final, the venue gets changed to Southampton or The Oval in London. Now that England is winning more Test matches in this period and there’s a good chance that they may get to the final, we are being told the final will be at Lord’s. Let’s wait and see. As the old Indian saying goes, DILLI (Lord’s) abhi bhi door hai,” he concluded.
