Alastair Cook wants Sachin Tendulkar's record to fall, backs Joe Root to become top Test run-scorer

Alastair Cook has boldly predicted that Joe Root is on the verge of overtaking the legendary Sachin Tendulkar’s world record for the most runs in Test cricket. Root’s latest achievement of becoming England’s all-time leading Test run-scorer has ignited a fresh debate on the matter, especially as he continues to rack up runs in the ongoing Test series against Pakistan.

With a stunning performance in the ongoing first Test between Pakistan and England in Multan, Root has officially shattered Cook’s previous record of highest Test runs for England—12,472 runs.

This remarkable milestone placed him in the fifth spot on the all-time list, trailing only behind cricketing giants like Tendulkar, who is standing tall with an astounding 15,921 runs in Test cricket.

Alastair Cook backs Joe Root to break Sachin Tendulkar's historic record in Test cricket

Well, Alastair Cook expressed his strong belief in Root's potential, saying the right-hander possesses the talent and determination necessary to not just match but ultimately break Tendulkar’s illustrious record in Test cricket. Meanwhile, Cook said having Ben Stokes as England’s Test captain has given Root new focus and energy to push his career forward.

However, the former England captain admitted that the road ahead is challenging, especially with the upcoming 2025-26 Ashes series posing as a significant hurdle, but he remained optimistic about Root's capabilities to break Tendulkar’s world record in the traditional format of the game.

Furthermore, Alastair Cook, who is now the second leading Test run-scorer for England, has pointed out that the great players who achieve such milestones often navigate through the injuries with luck and resilience, and he feels Root would maintain his hunger and competitive spirit for years to come to pull off incredible feats in Tests.

Only hurdle in Joe Root's way will be the next Ashes series: Alastair Cook

Alastair Cook said on BBC’s Test Match Special: “I can see him overhauling Sachin Tendulkar’s record. When I retired, I thought there was every chance that my record will be broken. I thought only the effects of captaincy and the hunger that takes out of you would stop him. I think the fact that Ben Stokes has taken over the captaincy has helped Root. You could say Sachin is still the favourite but just.”

Cook signed off by saying, “All great players who played for a long time have been lucky with injuries. You just never know what’s around the corner but it has to be something like it that could stop him. But I don’t see that happening for Root to lose that hunger and ability to keep driving himself forward for the next couple of years.

The only slight hurdle in his way will be the [2025-26] Ashes series. There is always something happening around the series. I’d give Sachin 51 percent and Root 49 percent. But I would be betting on Root to do it.”

UK PM Sir Keir Starmer congratulates Joe Root on his fantastic achievement

Notably, England’s prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer, congratulated Root on his fantastic achievement in Test cricket. The UK PM posted a message for Root on X, saying: “Congratulations to Joe Root on becoming England’s leading Test run scorer. A fantastic achievement from an outstanding cricketer who just gets better and better.”

Congratulations to Joe Root on becoming England's leading Test run scorer. A fantastic achievement from an outstanding cricketer who just gets better and better. https://t.co/ueAGHGi3R4

— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) October 9, 2024