Joe Root vs Sachin Tendulkar: Comparing 2 batting icons’ numbers after 151 Tests
Star English batter Joe Root is steadily marching toward cricketing greatness, drawing comparisons to the legendary Sachin Tendulkar.
With his stunning performances post-COVID, Root has scaled the heights of Test cricket, scoring runs around the globe with flair and consistency. Handing over England’s captaincy to Ben Stokes has proven to be a blessing, allowing Root to channel his energy solely into his batting.
With a century in the second Test against New Zealand, Root’s Test career tally now stands at 12,886 runs in 151 matches, placing him fifth on the all-time run-scorers list. He is just 492 runs shy of overtaking Ricky Ponting at No. 2, and at his current scoring pace, the milestone seems within reach.
Since 2021, Root has been in scintillating form, amassing 5,063 runs in 54 Tests at an average of 56.25, with 19 centuries. Former England captains Alastair Cook and Michael Vaughan have already tipped him to challenge Tendulkar’s record of 15,921 runs. Tendulkar remains the only player to have scored more than 50 centuries in Tests, retiring with 51 centuries and 68 half-centuries. Let’s look at how the numbers of the two batting icons stack up after 151 Test matches.
ROOT vs TENDULKAR STATS COMPARISON AFTER 151 TESTS
By the 151st Test of their careers, Root batted in 30 more innings than Tendulkar and accumulated 12,886 runs, surpassing the Indian great’s 11,939 runs. However, Tendulkar maintains a higher average of 54.02, compared to Root’s 50.93, and has more centuries (39 vs 36). On the other hand, Root has scored more half-centuries (64 vs 49) over the same number of matches.
AWAY RECORD: After 151 Tests, Sachin Tendulkar had scored 6,821 runs in 87 away Tests at an average of 53.70, with 23 hundreds and 28 fifties. In comparison, Joe Root has amassed 6,128 runs in 73 away Tests at an average of 47.66, including 15 hundreds and 32 fifties.
HOME RECORD: When it comes to performances in home conditions, Tendulkar scored 5,118 runs in 64 home Tests at an average of 54.44, with 16 hundred and 21 fifties. On the other hand, Joe Root has scored 6,758 runs in 78 home Tests at an average of 54.94, with 21 hundreds and 32 fifties.
| Category | Sachin Tendulkar | Joe Root |
|---|---|---|
| Matches | 151 | 151 |
| Innings | 246 | 276 |
| Runs | 11,939 | 12,886 |
| Average | 54.02 | 50.93 |
| 50s | 49 | 64 |
| 100s | 39 | 36 |
RATE OF SCORING HUNDREDS
Another interesting metric is the rate at which the two batters scored centuries. Tendulkar took approximately 6 innings to score a century by the time he had played 151 Tests, with 39 centuries in 246 innings. In contrast, Root took about 8 innings to score a century, with 36 centuries in 276 innings. This suggests that Tendulkar was more efficient in converting his innings into centuries.
CONSISTENCY?
Looking at consistency through runs per inning, Tendulkar has maintained a rate of about 48 runs per inning, while Root has scored 46 runs per inning. This shows that Tendulkar was slightly more consistent in terms of run production.
WHO IS BETTER AFTER 151 TESTS?
Purely from the numbers, Root has scored more runs than Tendulkar after 151 Test matches. However, Tendulkar leads in terms of centuries, consistency, and efficiency. His ability to score centuries at a quicker rate and maintain a higher batting average places him ahead of Root in terms of overall impact.
While Joe Root’s career is far from over and he continues to break records, Tendulkar remains the benchmark for excellence in Test cricket.