Follow Us15,921 runs in 200 Tests. That's the record every batter in the world would want to break. However, not many even manage to get close to it. Among the top candidates to breach what Sachin Tendulkar achieved in his illustrious career is English talisman Joe Root.
Root, England's greatest batter, has amassed over 13,000 runs in 153 matches at an average of nearly 51. Tendulkar at the same point had 12,152 runs at 54.25, and hit 39 tons, compared to Root's 36.
However, Root has played 26 innings more than Tendulkar had at 153 Tests. After 279 innings, Tendulkar had breached the 14,000-run mark, following a double century against Australia in Bengaluru, while Root has just gone past 13,000.
Safe to say, Tendulkar is winning the race at the moment, but if anyone can catch up to the great batter, it is Root. But what are the chances of Root catching up with Tendulkar in the Test series against India?
HIGHLY IMPOSSIBLE!
Root is exactly 2,915 runs behind Tendulkar. Assuming Root plays every innings in the upcoming five-match Test series against India, he will have to score 292 every time he comes out to bat, which, safe to say, is preposterous.
While there's little doubt that Root's a genius, this is an uphill task, even for him. But what he can achieve in this series is that he can beat Ricky Ponting's tally and become the second-highest run-getter in Tests. Root will start the series 372 runs behind the former Australia skipper and would back himself to go past him.
But when can Root realistically go past Tendulkar? You'll find your answer to that question here.
For all you Tendulkar fans: Don't worry, the Littler Master's record is safe, at least till the end of this series.