Sachin Tendulkar has backed Joe Root‘s credentials as one of the finest batters of his generation, revealing that he had recognised the England star’s potential during his very first Test appearance in 2012. Root is now closing in on Tendulkar’s long-standing record for the most runs in Test cricket.During an Ask Me Anything (AMA) session on Reddit, the former India captain was asked about Root’s pursuit of his record. Tendulkar responded with high praise for the English batter, recalling the impression he had made during his debut.“I’ve always rated him very highly and it was evident to me in his first test match that he was going to make it big!” Tendulkar said.Root currently occupies second place on the all-time Test run-scoring list, with 14,278 runs from 169 matches and 309 innings. He needs another 1,643 runs to overtake Tendulkar, who retired from Test cricket with 15,921 runs in 200 matches and 329 innings. The Indian great’s tally remains the highest in the format.Interestingly, Tendulkar was part of the Indian team against which Root made his Test debut in Nagpur in December 2012. The young English batter made an immediate impression, scoring 73 off 229 deliveries in the first innings before remaining unbeaten on 20 in the second as the match ended in a draw.More than a decade later, Root has established himself as one of the finest Test batters of his generation and is within striking distance of one of cricket’s most celebrated records.However, Root has already gone past Tendulkar in the list of most Test half-centuries. The England captain brought up his 69th Test fifty in September 2026, moving ahead of the Indian legend’s tally of 68.Tendulkar also shared the names of his favourite non-Indian batters during the interaction, picking England’s Harry Brook and Joe Root, alongside Australia’s Steve Smith.
Tendulkar renews call for ODI format overhaul
The batting legend also reiterated his proposal to restructure One-Day International cricket, suggesting that the traditional 50-over contest should be divided into two separate 25-over innings for each team.Under his proposed system, teams would retain all 10 wickets across the full 50 overs rather than receiving separate sets of wickets for each innings. He also suggested using a single ball throughout the match.“My suggestion is simple. Split the 50 overs into two innings of 25 each. But keep 10 wickets for the full 50 overs and use just one ball throughout. That way the contest between bat and ball stays alive, and both teams get to bat and bowl under the dew. It balances the game for both sides. We need to do something before bowlers go extinct,” he said.Tendulkar believes the change could help restore a better balance between bat and ball, particularly in conditions where dew often influences the outcome of matches.
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