'Always Rated Him Highly': Sachin Tendulkar on Joe Root's Record Chase
Sachin Tendulkar reacts to Joe Root closing in on his Test run record and suggests a radical change to the ODI format.
Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar has shared his thoughts on England's star batter Joe Root, who is steadily marching toward the historic milestone of becoming the highest run-scorer in Test cricket history. During a candid 'Ask Me Anything' (AMA) session on Reddit, the Master Blaster expressed his admiration for the Englishman's consistency and talent.
A Prediction Made in 2012
When asked about Root's pursuit of his long-standing record, Tendulkar revealed that his belief in the batter's potential dates back over a decade. He noted that it was clear from Root's very first appearance on the Test stage that he was destined for greatness.
"I’ve always rated him very highly and it was evident to me in his first test match that he was going to make it big!"
The connection between the two goes back to December 2012 during the Nagpur Test. Root made his debut against an Indian side that included Tendulkar. In that match, Root showed early signs of his resilience, scoring 73 runs from 229 balls in the first innings and remaining unbeaten on 20 in the second, helping England secure a draw.
The Numbers Game: How Close is Root?
The gap between the current second-highest run-scorer and the all-time leader is narrowing. Here is how the statistics stand:
- Sachin Tendulkar: 15,921 runs in 200 matches (329 innings).
- Joe Root: 14,278 runs in 169 matches (309 innings).
Joe Root now needs 1,643 more runs to surpass Tendulkar's monumental tally and claim the throne of the most prolific run-getter in the history of the format.
Tendulkar's Top International Picks
Beyond Root, Tendulkar was asked to name his favorite non-Indian batters. The cricket icon highlighted three modern greats who have impressed him with their skill and approach: Joe Root, Steve Smith of Australia, and the emerging talent Harry Brook from England.
A Bold Proposal to Save the ODI Format
While discussing the state of the game, Sachin Tendulkar also revisited his suggestion to completely revamp the One-Day International (ODI) format. Concerned that bowlers are losing their edge, he proposed a structural change to the 50-over contest.
The 'Two-Innings' 50-Over Idea
Tendulkar suggested splitting the 50-over game into two separate 25-over innings for each team. However, he clarified that the fundamental rules regarding wickets and equipment should remain the same:
- Wickets: Teams should retain all 10 wickets for the full 50 overs.
- The Ball: A single ball should be used throughout the entire match.
The logic behind this radical shift is to neutralize the impact of dew, which often gives an unfair advantage to the team batting second. By splitting the innings, both sides would be forced to bat and bowl under similar conditions, keeping the contest between bat and ball competitive. Tendulkar emphasized the urgency of such a move, stating, "We need to do something before bowlers go extinct."