Former cricketer Samit Patel feels that it would be unbelievable if Joe Root manages to break Sachin Tendulkar’s long-standing record for the most runs in Test cricket.
“If he can do it, that would be an unbelievable effort. Sachin is probably my hero and idol growing up, and if someone does that, it would be unbelievable,” he said on the sidelines of the ongoing World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2026.
Currently, Root has smashed 14,278 runs in 169 Test appearances for the “Three Lions”. Tendulkar drew curtains on his Test career with 15,921 runs in 200 matches for Team India.
The former English cricketer further heaped praise on Root by saying that he is one of the best players and it is great to see a batsman with his longevity.
“Joe Root is one of the best players in my opinion, one of the best to play and still going. The thing that stands out about Root is the hunger to score runs. He’s obviously so close to (in Test runs). I’m sure that’s on his mind. It’s great to see a batsman with this longevity,” said Patel.
Root has been one of the most consistent run-scorers for the “Three Lions” in recent times.
Patel is part of England Champions in the ongoing WCL 2026. The side has registered two wins in four matches and is currently second on the points table.
England Champions will face Champions in their final league-stage match on Wednesday, with a victory guaranteeing their place in the semi-finals.
Samit Patel’s international career statistics
Patel represented England in six Tests, 36 One-Day Internationals and 18 T20 Internationals between 2008 and 2015. A long-serving Nottinghamshire player, he made 629 appearances for the county over 22 years, contributing across formats with both bat and ball.
He was part of Nottinghamshire’s County Championship-winning teams in 2005 and 2010 and played a key role in their successful white-ball campaigns, including the double triumph in 2017. Across formats, he finished his Nottinghamshire career with more than 25,000 runs and over 800 wickets.