Sachin Tendulkar backs Joe Root to break his all-time Test record, suggests changes for ODIs

Sachin Tendulkar backs Joe Root to challenge his historic Test run record

Joe Root’s pursuit of the highest run total in Test cricket has earned the approval of the man whose record he is chasing. Indian great Sachin Tendulkar says he recognised Root’s potential from the English batter’s first Test appearance, backing the former England captain to continue closing in on one of cricket’s most celebrated milestones.

Root needs 1,643 more runs to surpass Tendulkar’s career total of 15,921 and become Test cricket’s leading run-scorer. The prediction from Tendulkar carries particular weight: he was playing for India when Root made his debut in Nagpur in December 2012.

Tendulkar saw Root’s promise from the beginning

Speaking during a Reddit “Ask Me Anything” session, Tendulkar was asked about Root’s record chase. He responded with admiration for the England batter and recalled being impressed by the young player’s composure in his first Test.

“I’ve always rated him very highly, and it was evident to me in his first Test match that he was going to make it big,” Tendulkar said.

Root announced himself with a patient 73 from 229 balls in the first innings against India. He then finished unbeaten on 20 in the second innings as the match ended in a draw. The innings did not immediately reveal the scale of his future achievements, but it showed the temperament and concentration that would become hallmarks of his Test career.

More than a decade later, Root has developed into one of the format’s most consistent run-makers. He has scored 14,278 runs in 169 Tests and 309 innings, placing him second on the all-time list. Tendulkar remains at the top, with 15,921 runs from 200 matches and 329 innings.

How close is Joe Root to Tendulkar’s record?

The gap between the two is substantial, but Root’s ongoing productivity has made the milestone a serious topic of discussion. At the stated totals, he requires 1,643 additional runs to move past Tendulkar. Whether and when he reaches that mark will depend on his fitness, form, selection and the number of Tests he has left to play.

That context matters. Test cricket rewards longevity as much as brilliance: a player must remain effective across different conditions, opponents and stages of a career. Root’s record reflects sustained output over many seasons, while Tendulkar’s total was built across two decades and an extraordinary 200-match career.

Rather than treating the prediction as a certainty, Tendulkar’s comments are best understood as a strong endorsement of Root’s ability. The former India batter has seen generations of international players, and his confidence in Root dates back to the very start of the Englishman’s Test journey.

During the same Reddit session, Tendulkar was also asked to name some of his favourite batters from outside India. He mentioned Root, England’s Harry Brook and Australia’s Steve Smith—three players with distinct styles who have each made a major impact on modern international cricket.

Tendulkar proposes a new way to structure ODI cricket

The discussion extended beyond Root’s record chase. Tendulkar also put forward a possible change to one-day international cricket, arguing that the format needs to do more to preserve the contest between bat and ball.

His proposal would divide each team’s 50-over batting allocation into two innings of 25 overs. Crucially, however, each side would retain only 10 wickets across the full 50 overs—not receive a fresh set of wickets for the second innings. Tendulkar also suggested using a single ball throughout the match.

Under the idea, teams would bat twice and bowl twice, creating two separate phases within the familiar 50-over limit. The same ball would be used for the entire game, rather than introducing a new ball at each end. Tendulkar believes this could reduce some of the advantages that currently favour batters, while giving both teams opportunities to play under changing conditions, including evening dew.

Why the balance between bat and ball matters

ODI cricket has evolved considerably since its early days. Changes to fielding restrictions, boundary dimensions, equipment and the use of two new balls have all shaped how the game is played. In many conditions, batters can score quickly throughout an innings, while bowlers must find ways to contain runs and take wickets under increasingly demanding circumstances.

Tendulkar’s suggestion is intended to prompt debate rather than offer a simple fix. Splitting the innings could make tactical planning more complex: captains would need to decide when to accelerate, how to protect wickets and which bowlers to use in each phase. A team might have to balance a strong first 25 overs against the need to preserve enough wickets for its second turn at the crease.

Using one ball could also change how the match develops. As the ball becomes older, its condition may influence swing, seam movement and the ease with which batters can score. That would give bowlers a different set of opportunities and require teams to adjust their approach as the innings progress.

There would be practical questions to answer before such a format could be considered. A split-innings match might affect scheduling, broadcast windows, player workloads and the rhythm that audiences expect from a one-day game. The rules would also need to clarify how interruptions, targets and innings breaks should work. Still, Tendulkar’s proposal offers a fresh framework for discussing how ODI cricket can remain compelling.

“My suggestion is simple. Split the 50 overs into two innings of 25 each. But keep 10 wickets for the full 50 overs and use just one ball throughout,” Tendulkar said. He added that the approach would let both sides bat and bowl under dew and help keep the contest balanced, warning that cricket must act before bowlers “go extinct.”

Two major conversations for the future of cricket

Tendulkar’s remarks bring together two of the sport’s enduring themes: celebrating individual achievement and protecting the balance that makes competition meaningful. Root’s progress towards the Test run record is a story of remarkable consistency, while the proposed ODI changes raise questions about how the game can adapt without losing its identity.

For fans, the prediction that Root could eventually pass Tendulkar adds another compelling chapter to Test cricket’s record books. At the same time, Tendulkar’s format proposal invites players, administrators and supporters to consider whether new rules could give bowlers a fairer share of the contest—and keep limited-overs cricket engaging for the next generation.