How has Joe Root fared in Test cricket since 2021?
England batter Joe Root smashed a terrific century against Sri Lanka on Day 1 of the 2nd Test at Lord's. Root's 206-ball 143 took the hosts past 300 after they were invited to bat. The English batter, who smashed a record-equaling 33rd Test century, is closing in on legend Sachin Tendulkar's record. Notably, Root has slammed 16 tons since the start of 2021.
Only batter with over 4,000 Test runs since 2021
Root has had an incredible rise over the last three years as a batter. He remains the only batter to have scored over 3,000 or 4,000 Test runs in this period. Since January 1, 2021, Root has scored 4,451 runs from 48 Tests at an astronomical average of 56.34. His tally includes 31 fifty-plus scores (16 tons).
Only batter with more than 10 tons
Australia's Usman Khawaja follows Root in terms of Test runs since 2021, with 2,564 of them. It is also worth noting that Root has the most Test tons (16) in this period. No other batter has more than nine centuries.
Where does Root stand in Fab Four?
Root is miles ahead of his Fab Four counterparts, including India's Virat Kohli, New Zealand's Kane Williamson, and Australia's Steven Smith. Centuries since January 2021 (ESPNcricinfo) - Root: 17, Williamson: 23, Smith: 26, and Kohli: 27. Root, who was reeling behind before 2021, has now left behind the three players. The tally now reads - Root: 33, Williamson: 32, Smith: 32, and Kohli: 29.
Before vs after turning 30
Root made his Test debut as a 21-year-old during the 2012 Test series in India. He straightaway made a mark with his sound technique on spinning tracks. Before turning 30, Root slammed 7,823 runs from 97 Tests at an average of 47.99. His centuries in this period read 17. Root, after turning 30, has already smacked 16 centuries in the longest format.
Most runs in India-England Test matches
Root has fancied facing India in Test cricket. Regardless of his team's results, the English batter has always been among the runs. Earlier this year, Root surpassed Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar to become the highest run-scorer in India-England Test matches. The former owns a staggering 2,846 runs in 30 Tests against India at an average of 58.08. His tally includes 10 tons.
Can Root match Tendulkar's Test record?
With over 12,000 runs, Root is already among the legends in Test cricket. He recently eclipsed Brian Lara's record of 11,953 runs. The English batter is currently the seventh-highest Test run-scorer, only behind Tendulkar (15,921), Ricky Ponting (13,378), Jacques Kallis (13,289), Rahul Dravid (13,288), Cook (12,472), and Kumar Sangakkara (12,400). At 33, Root has already set his sights on Tendulkar's long-standing record.
