Joe Root's ascent in the world of Test cricket has sparked considerable debate and excitement, particularly concerning his potential to surpass Sachin Tendulkar's all-time record of 15,921 runs. Former England captain Michael Atherton has weighed in on the matter, making some significant predictions following Root's achievement of becoming the second-highest Test run-scorer.

Root's recent performance in the fourth Test against India at Old Trafford saw him overtake legends such as Rahul Dravid and Jacques Kallis, and Ricky Ponting to claim the second spot on the list of all-time Test run-scorers. As of July 25, 2025, Root sits behind only Sachin Tendulkar.

Atherton's initial comments, made in October 2024, suggested that Root had a "great chance" to surpass Tendulkar, provided he maintained his form and fitness. He acknowledged that Root would need approximately four years to achieve the feat, factoring in Root's age (34 in December) and the understanding that players are generally prolonging their careers.

More recently, Atherton has doubled down on his prediction, hinting that Root could not only surpass Tendulkar but set a record that may never be broken. He pointed to the changing landscape of cricket, with the increasing dominance of limited-overs formats potentially leading to fewer Test matches and, consequently, fewer opportunities for future batsmen to accumulate such massive scores.

Ravi Shastri, former India head coach, has also offered his perspective, predicting that Root could exceed Tendulkar's record by approximately 3,000 runs. He emphasized Root's age, the number of Tests he has already played (156), and the potential for another 40 Tests in his career. Shastri's comments came with a touch of humor, acknowledging the strong emotional connection Indian fans have with Tendulkar's legacy. He jokingly stated that such predictions "won't be music to the ears of the Indians". Atherton then joined in the jest, saying that Root would be "cursed" and that "Millions of homes around Mumbai right now" would not be happy.

While Sachin Tendulkar's towering 15,921 runs may still seem a distant target, Root's current form and fitness suggest that it is within the realm of possibility. He has already demonstrated remarkable consistency, becoming the fastest player to reach 13,000 Test runs in terms of matches played. Root currently has 13,380 runs. He is England's all-time leading run-scorer in both Test and One Day International (ODI) cricket. He also holds the record for the most Test centuries (38) and ODI centuries (18) for England.

Whether Joe Root ultimately surpasses Sachin Tendulkar's record remains to be seen. The debate surrounding his potential to do so highlights his greatness and solidifies his place among Test cricket's elite.