Daijiworld Media Network – Manchester

Manchester, Jul 25: England's batting maestro Joe Root is inching closer to cricketing immortality, with only 2,651 runs now separating him from Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar’s all-time Test run tally. With age, consistency, and favorable conditions on his side, experts believe Root could not just surpass Tendulkar—but leave a sizable lead.

During the ongoing Manchester Test, former India head coach Ravi Shastri praised Root’s longevity and predicted that the England star could end his career with a 3,000-run lead over the ‘Master Blaster’.

“Look at his age. He’s played 157 Tests and still has at least 40 more in him. Sachin played 200. Root’s likely to go beyond that mark, and what will separate them might be close to 3,000 runs,” Shastri stated on live commentary, emphasizing the Yorkshireman's current purple patch and age advantage.

Former England captain Michael Atherton joined the discussion, citing Sky Sports statistician Benedict Bermange, who claimed Root now has a 60.28% chance of breaking Tendulkar’s record. Shastri, half-jokingly, responded, “It won’t be music to the ears of Indians. It’s bedtime in India—and you’ve just dropped a 60.28 stat!”

Atherton added humorously, “Millions of homes around Mumbai right now… Root will be cursed,” alluding to the deep emotional connection Indian fans have with Tendulkar’s legacy.

While the world watches Root’s progress closely, Atherton made another bold forecast. “If Root does go past Sachin, it’s quite likely no one else will. With modern cricket’s shift toward white-ball formats, players might not play enough Tests to mount such a challenge,” he noted.

Shastri concluded, “That’s what will drive Root. He knows it. And he’s probably more aware than anyone how special this opportunity is, especially in today’s era of three-format cricket.”

Whether Root achieves the historic feat or not, the race is on—and fans worldwide are watching, with anticipation, nostalgia, and national pride.