Michael Vaughan names batter who can overtake Tendulkar’s Test record

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has named Joe Root a strong contender to break Sachin Tendulkar's long-standing Test runs record. 

In a recent column for The Telegraph, Vaughan highlighted Root's exceptional batting prowess and strategic acumen, suggesting that the former England skipper could eventually surpass Tendulkar’s tally.

“Joe Root will become England’s leading run-scorer in the next few months and is so special that he really could overtake Sachin Tendulkar eventually. With the bat, generally, they did not look reckless like they have in the past. They are scoring quickly, but it doesn’t look like their egos are taking over. They are just playing with good sense,” Vaughan wrote.

Sachin Tendulkar, widely hailed as the greatest Test batsman of all time, amassed a remarkable 15,921 runs over a distinguished 24-year career. His unmatched skill and consistency have set a high benchmark in the sport, earning him the revered title of the "God of Cricket."

The former cricketer praised Root’s tactical use of the reverse scoop shot, which the batsman reserved for after reaching his century, demonstrating his ability to score under pressure while maintaining strategic discipline.

“As the rock, Root is obviously key to that, and I love that he kept the reverse-scoop in the locker until he was past 100 and England’s lead was massive,” he said.

Root is close to breaking several English records currently held by Alastair Cook. He is one century away from matching Cook’s record of 33 Test hundreds and is 532 runs shy of surpassing Cook as England’s leading Test run-scorer. 

Additionally, he is on the verge of becoming only the seventh batter in history to score 12,000 Test runs, having recently moved past Brian Lara’s tally.