Joe Root issues a confession on breaking Sachin Tendulkar's record for most Test runs
Published - 01 Sep 2024, 10:37 AM | Updated - 01 Sep 2024, 11:23 AM
Former England Test skipper Joe Root has opened up about his thoughts on breaking Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar's longstanding record in Test cricket.
Joe Root said that his main focus is to score as many runs as possible in his team's winning cause rather than chasing individual records.
The 33-year-old broke legendary batter Alastair Cook's record for most Test tons by an England batter during the second Test against Sri Lanka.
Root hit his 34th Test century in England's second innings at Lord's. Notably, Root also scored a hundred in England's first innings of the ongoing Test.
The right-handed batter has scored 12,377 runs from 145 Tests at an average of 50.93. Root is in seventh place on the list of all-time run-getters in Test cricket.
He needs 3,544 more to surpass Sachin in the elite list. Many former cricketers have predicted Root has 'every chance' to surpass the record.
Do My Bit For The Team - Joe Root
Joe Root was asked about his thoughts on breaking Sachin Tendulkar's Test record. Root said that he wants to contribute to the team and added that there is no better feeling than winning a Test match.
"Have you got half an eye on Sachin Tendulkar's test run-scoring record?" the host asked.
"I just want to play and try and do my bit for the team and score the runs, as many as I can, and see where we get to.
There's no better feeling. I mean, it's obviously amazing when you score 100 and you'd be lying if you said it wasn't a big part of why you started playing the game and what you love about it, but there's no feeling better than winning a test match.
So, the more it can affect games, and the more you can add to the team, the greater it is. So, that'll be the main focus and hopefully more days like this will come with that mentality," Root said.
1️⃣ Sachin Tendulkar - 15921 runs
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 31, 2024
⬆️ Joe Root - 12377 runs
Half an eye on Sachin's record, Joe? 👀
Alastair Cook Has Been Very Gracious - Joe Root
Joe Root said that Alastair Cook has been very supportive of him and added that they share a close friendship. He stated that he looks forward to playfully teasing Cook about surpassing his record in the future.
"He's been very gracious and supportive throughout and he's a good pal of mine, so I am sure I will be able to rib him a bit later on about it," Root added.
Coming to the match, England were dismissed for 251 runs in the second innings. Joe Root scored 103 runs off 121 balls, and Harry Brook added 37 runs from 36 balls. For Sri Lanka, Asitha Fernando (3/52) and Lahiru Kumara (3/53) picked up three wickets each on the third day of the Test match.
England set Sri Lanka a huge target of 483 runs to win and level the series 1-1. Sri Lanka scored 53-2 in their second innings at the stumps on Day 3. The visiting team needs to score 430 more runs to win the match.
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