Ponting Predicts Root Could Surpass Tendulkar's Test Runs Record

Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting believes that England's Joe Root is well-positioned to break Sachin Tendulkar's all-time Test runs record in the foreseeable future.

Recently, Root achieved a significant milestone by reaching 12,000 Test runs during the home series against the West Indies. Over 143 Test matches, he has amassed 12,027 runs at an average of 50.11, with 32 centuries and 63 half-centuries. Root is currently ranked seventh on the list of highest Test run-scorers.

At present, Root is 1,351 runs shy of Ponting's tally of 13,378 runs and approximately 4,000 runs behind Tendulkar's record of 15,921 runs. He could make further progress towards this record during England's upcoming ICC World Test Championship series against Sri Lanka, starting later this month.

Ponting commented on Root's potential to surpass Tendulkar's record during a recent ICC Review episode hosted by Sanjana Ganesan. "He could potentially do that," Ponting said when asked about Root's chances of eclipsing Tendulkar’s impressive run total.

"He is 33 years of age…(more than) 3000 runs behind. It depends how many Test matches they play, but if they're playing 10 to 14 Test matches a year and if you're scoring 800 to 1000 runs a year, then that sort of says he's only three or four years off getting there. So that'll take him to 37 (years of age).

"If his hunger's still there, then there's every chance he could do it," he added.

Ponting highlighted Root’s recent form, noting that he scored his fourth Test century of the year last month and has been converting his starts into substantial innings, distinguishing himself from other batters.

"He is someone that in the last couple of years has got better and better. There's always talk around batters reaching their prime in their early 30s and he's certainly done that," Ponting explained.

"It's been his conversion rates being the big thing. Four or five years ago, he was making a lot of 50s and struggling to go on and make hundreds and he's gone the other way recently. Almost every time he gets to 50 now, he goes on and makes a big hundred. So that's been the real turnaround for him," he added.

Root will be back in action for England in the first Test of the series against Sri Lanka, which begins on August 21 at Old Trafford in Manchester.