Historic Feat at Old Trafford
England’s Joe Root scaled new heights in Test cricket during the fourth Test against India in Manchester, leaping past two legends—Rahul Dravid and Jacques Kallis—to become the third-highest run-scorer in Test history.
- Root began the match at Old Trafford needing 30 runs to overtake Dravid (13,288) and 31 to surpass Kallis (13,289).
- On Day 3, Root reached this landmark with a single off Mohammed Siraj, taking his overall tally to 13,290 runs in 157 Tests, eclipsing the marks of both icons.
The All-Time Top 5 Test Run-Scorers
| Rank | Player | Country | Runs | Matches | 100s | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sachin Tendulkar | India | 15,921 | 200 | 51 | 68 |
| 2 | Ricky Ponting | Australia | 13,378 | 168 | 41 | 62 |
| 3 | Joe Root | England | 13,290 | 157 | 37 | 66 |
| 4 | Jacques Kallis | South Africa | 13,289 | 166 | 45 | 58 |
| 5 | Rahul Dravid | India | 13,288 | 164 | 36 | 63 |
Marching Toward Sachin’s Record
- After surpassing Dravid and Kallis, Root sits just 88 runs shy of Ricky Ponting’s second-place tally (13,378).
- Root now has his sights set on the all-time record held by Sachin Tendulkar (15,921), still more than 2,600 runs away but within reach given Root’s age (34) and form.
- Broadcast statistics during the Test gave Root a 60.28% chance of eventually surpassing Tendulkar, with experts noting his sustained consistency and four-plus potential years ahead.
Additional Manchester Milestone
- Joe Root also became the first batter to score 1,000 Test runs at Old Trafford, Manchester, further cementing his reputation at the venue.
- He joined an elite club of England batters to have aggregated 1,000+ runs at multiple home venues.
What Lies Ahead
- With England leading 2-1 in the five-match series and Root in superb form, the journey toward cricket’s ultimate record continues.
- Experts, including Ricky Ponting and Ravi Shastri, have acknowledged Root as the top active contender to threaten Sachin Tendulkar’s towering mark.
Joe Root’s relentless run-scoring in Manchester confirms his status as a modern great and keeps cricket fans around the world watching as he inches ever closer to the summit of Test history.
