New Delhi: Seasoned Joe Root scripted history on Friday after becoming the third-highest run-scorer in the Test cricket history. Root achieved the milestone on the third day of the fourth Test match against India at the Old Trafford in Manchester.
Root achieved the elusive record after surpassing Rahul Dravid and Jacques Kallis in the process who have 13288 and 13289 respectively in the format. The list is headed by Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar who has 15921 runs to his name in the longest format while Australian legend Ricky Ponting sits on the second spot with 13378 runs.
Root achieved the massive record after scoring his 31st run in the second innings of the second-last Test of the five-match series. The right-hander remains almost 90 runs short of surpassing Ponting’s record and occupying the second spot just behind Tendulkar. Root, who has been in a fabulous form in the last 4-5 years, looks well on course of breaking the Australian’s record as well.
The all-time leading run-scorers in Test cricket 📈
1️⃣ Tendulkar – 15,921
2️⃣ Ponting – 13,378
3️⃣ 𝗥𝗼𝗼𝘁 – 𝟭𝟯,𝟮𝟵𝟬 ⬆️
4️⃣ Kallis – 13,289
5️⃣ Dravid – 13,288
6️⃣ Cook – 12,472
7️⃣ Sangakkara – 12,400
8️⃣ Lara – 11,953
9️⃣ Chanderpaul – 11,867
🔟 Jayawardene – 11,814Joe Root,… pic.twitter.com/m8OY90YCj6
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 25, 2025
Most runs in Test cricket
15921 – Sachin Tendulkar
13378 – Ricky Ponting
13290* – Joe Root
13289 – Jacques Kallis
13288 – Rahul Dravid