Joe Root Climbs Test Cricket Mountain! Is Sachin's Record Safe?

By: Analia Gómez Published On: 25/07/2025

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Joe Root has etched his name further into cricket history, climbing to third on the all-time Test run-scorers list! During the fourth Test against India at Old Trafford, Root surpassed South African legend Jacques Kallis, solidifying his place among the greats.

Root's Remarkable Achievement

Root needed just 31 runs to overtake Kallis's 13,289. He achieved this milestone with a single off Mohammed Siraj, much to the delight of the Manchester crowd. The cheers of "Rooot!" echoed around the stadium as he reached the landmark.

England were 261-2 at the time, responding to India's first-innings total of 358. Root's contribution was crucial in narrowing the deficit.

The Top Run-Scorers in Test Cricket

Here's a look at the top of the leaderboard:

1. Sachin Tendulkar (India) – 15,921 runs
2. Ricky Ponting (Australia) – 13,378 runs
3. Joe Root (England) – 13,290 runs
4. Jacques Kallis (South Africa) – 13,289 runs
5. Rahul Dravid (India) – 13,288 runs

What's Next for Root?

Root now has Ricky Ponting in his sights. The Australian great is just ahead with 13,378 runs. While Sachin Tendulkar's mammoth 15,921 runs seem a distant prospect, Root, at 34, still has time on his side. Can he chase down Tendulkar's record? Only time will tell.

England currently lead the five-match series 2-1, with the final Test at The Oval looming. Root's form will be vital if England are to secure a series victory.

The England team for the fourth test was comprised of Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (capt), Jamie Smith (wkt), Liam Dawson, Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, and Jofra Archer. The Indian team included Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (capt), Rishabh Pant (wkt), Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Anshul Kamboj, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Siraj.