Root, who has cemented his status as one of the premier batters of his era, currently sits second on the all-time list. With 14,278 runs accumulated across 169 matches and 309 innings, he remains 1,643 runs shy of Tendulkar’s benchmark of 15,921 runs, a record the Indian legend set over 200 matches and 329 innings.
A Long-Standing Impression
The connection between the two players dates back to December 2012, when Root made his Test debut against India in Nagpur. Tendulkar, who was part of the Indian side during that series, recalled being immediately struck by the youngster’s composure and technique. In that debut outing, Root demonstrated his promise by scoring 73 runs from 229 deliveries in the first innings, followed by an unbeaten 20 in the second as the match concluded in a draw.
Reflecting on that encounter, Tendulkar expressed little surprise at the trajectory of Root’s career. He noted that it was evident from that first match that the young batter was destined for significant achievements in the sport. Beyond the total run tally, Root has already surpassed Tendulkar in one specific metric, having moved ahead of the Indian legend’s 68 Test half-centuries by reaching his 69th in September 2026.
Proposed Changes to ODI Cricket
During the same session, Tendulkar also addressed the future of the 50-over format, reiterating his proposal for a structural overhaul. He suggested that One-Day Internationals should be split into two 25-over innings per side, rather than the current format. Under his vision, teams would retain their 10 wickets for the duration of the full 50 overs and utilize a single ball throughout the game.
Tendulkar argued that this change would help maintain a fairer contest between bat and ball, particularly in conditions where dew often provides an unfair advantage to the team batting second. He emphasized that such adjustments are necessary to ensure the longevity of bowlers in the format, stating that the sport needs to act before the balance shifts too far in favor of the batters.
