One is called the God of Cricket, and the other is perhaps the greatest test batter of his generation. Both Sachin Tendulkar and Joe Root have contributed to test cricket in their own way.

Since Root started his incredible run with the bat in 2021, everyone started the Joe Root vs Sachin Tendulkar comparison in test cricket. Some even suggested that the former English captain might even break Sachin Tendulkar's test record as well.

Before India take on England in another mouthwatering five-test match series, we will try to analyse whose test career is better. Is it Joe Root or Sachin Tendulkar? Who is better in test cricket?

Sachin Tendulkar in test cricket - in numbers

Sachin Tendulkar in test cricket - in numbers | sportzpoint.com — Image - BCCI

Even before we get into comparing the players, we need to get the numbers right.

Sachin, the highest run-getter in test and international cricket, scored 15921 test runs in a record 200 test matches. The Indian legend averaged 53.78 and also scored 51 test tons, which is also a record.

Read Also | 16 Indian Cricketers with stands named after them at a stadium

Debuted at the age of 16, soon, Sachin soon became the then second youngest ever test centurion at the age of 17 years 107 days old. Sachin created that record when he smashed an unbeaten 119 against England in Manchester in 1990.

He is still the youngest Indian to score an international ton.

Format	Mat	Inns	NO	Runs	HS	Ave	100s	50s
Tests	200	329	33	15,921	248*	53.78	51	68

Other records Sachin has in his test career:

Most fours in test cricket (2058)
Most fifties in test cricket (119)
Fastest to 10000, 13000, 14000, 15000 test runs
The only batter to surpass the mark of 14000 and 15000 test runs
3rd most test innings without a duck (91)
2nd most test hundreds in a calendar year (7 in 2010)

Read Also | The Most Memorable Test Centuries in Cricket History

Joe Root in test cricket - in numbers

Joe Root in test cricket - in numbers | sportzpoint.com — Image - Getty

Part of the modern fav-four in cricket, Joe Root debuted in 2012 against India and announced himself with a gritty 73 from 229 balls.

In his sixth test, he scored his first test hundred against New Zealand and then two tests later, he smashed a 180 against the Aussies at Lord's.

With 13006, he is the fifth-highest run scorer in test cricket history. He is the highest international and test scorer for England. Moreover, he is also the batter with the most test tons and runs among active batters in world cricket.

Root till now has played only 153 test matches and has a batting average of 50.80. Since the start of 2022, Root has scored 13 test tons, scoring 3475 runs at an average of 53.46. He is also the highest run scorer in World Test Championship history.

Format	Mat	Inns	NO	Runs	HS	Ave	100s	50s
Tests	153	279	23	13,006	262	50.80	36	65

Other records Root has in his test career:

3rd most test runs in a calendar year (1708, in 2021)
5th most test hundreds (36)
6th most test hundreds in a calendar year (6 in 2021)
Most fifties in consecutive test matches (12)
4th most test fifties (101)

Root vs Sachin in Test Cricket: Comparison

Sachin currently has a lead over Joe Root in every aspect of numbers in test cricket. The master blaster has better records than Root in test cricket.

But to compare them, we will have to compare them with the current number of matches Root has played so far.

Sachin after 153 test matches

Runs: 12152

Innings: 250

Average: 54.25

100s: 39

50s: 51

Highest: 248*

Sachin in wins after 153 tests:

Won: 48 tests

Runs: 4011

Average: 62.67

100s: 13

50s: 16

Root after 153 test matches

Runs: 13006

Innings: 279

Average: 50.80

100s: 36

50s: 65

Highest: 262

Root in wins after 153 test matches:

Wins: 70 tests

Runs: 6999

Average: 64.21

100s: 25

50s: 28

So, if we compare Sachin's record to Joe Root's after 153 test matches, we can see that Root is leading the chart with more runs and more fifties. But, Sachin has a better batting average, more hundreds.

However, in 153 test matches, Root won 70 test matches for England while Sachin had only won 48 test matches as a player. Although their batting averages in winning causes are nearly the same, Root has scored nearly 3000 more test runs on winning occasions for England.

Bonus: Did you know who was ahead after 145 test matches each for Sachin and Root?

Can Root catch Sachin in test cricket?

Can Root catch Sachin in test cricket? - sportzpoint.com — Image - Getty

Although Joe Root has scored the most test runs if we compare their stats after 153 test matches, Sachin played nearly five years after playing his 153rd test match in 2008.

Not only that, in those next 47 test matches he played for India, he scored 3769 runs at an average of 52.34 with 12 tons.

Root is currently 34, and can stretch his career for at least 4-5 years if he can stay fit. With the number of test matches England play every season, there is a certain possibility that Root can end up playing more than 200 test matches in his career.

Even if he plays 47 more test matches and bats at least 75 innings, he would need 2915 test runs at an average of 38.87.

With the current form Joe Root is in, this is quite possible for him to get. But, will he be able to keep the form like Sachin had done at the age of 35 and after? That's the question the World Cricket will be eyeing.

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