Cricket has produced some legends of the game, however few have enthralled fans quite like the legendary Sachin Tendulkar and Joe Root. While separated in time and space, both of them brought their own unique style to batting when they played, and both have been an example of a standard that the next generation of cricketers have aspired to.
Test Cricket
| Player | Time Period | Matches | Runs | Average | High Score | 100s | 50s |
| Joe Root | 2012 – Present | 153 | 13,006 | 50.80 | 262 | 36 | 65 |
| Sachin Tendulkar | 1989 – 2013 | 200 | 15,921 | 53.78 | 248 | 51 | 68 |
Root has played fewer matches but has been a more prolific scorer than Tendulkar at this stage because he has had more innings to accumulate his runs in those matches, although Tendulkar’s average is still much higher; this indicates he has a longer career and career average over a longer career of his 24 year span.
ODI Cricket
| Player | Time Period | Matches | Runs | Average | High Score | 100s | 50s |
| Joe Root | 2013 – Present | 180 | 7,126 | 49.14 | 166 | 18 | 42 |
| Sachin Tendulkar | 1989 – 2012 | 463 | 18,426 | 44.83 | 200 | 49 | 96 |
Tendulkar has an ODI track record that is all but unassailable, including the first double century in ODI history. Root is not even close. He will never catch Tendulkar on runs. He does have a better average in ODI cricket than Tendulkar.
T20I Cricket
| Player | Time Period | Matches | Runs | Average | High Score | 100s | 50s |
| Joe Root | 2012 – 2019 | 32 | 893 | 35.72 | 90 | 0 | 5 |
| Sachin Tendulkar | 2006 | 1 | 10 | 10.00 | 10 | 0 | 0 |
- Neither player made a significant mark in T20Is, with Root playing more, and Tendulkar barely featuring in the format.
Playing Styles and Techniques
- Sachin Tendulkar was a complete batsmen with an attacking mindset. He was equally adept at pace and spin and could adjust his game to all conditions. His straight drive and cover drive were outstanding as were his footwork and balance. Tendulkar’s unique ability to dominate bowlers in one day matches right from the start separated him from all others.
- Joe Root is a modern genius with incredible flexibility and mental toughness. Root’s game is based on an all-round technique using solid defence, placement, and scoring through rotations of the strike and he is particularly strong on his pads and through covers. The calmness Root displays while facing pressure to score runs and the quality of Root’s huge runs, especially in difficult conditions demonstrates his class and separates him in this time and day.
Also read: Top 6 Indian Batsmen with Most Test Centuries vs England – Full Stats & Highlights
Records and Milestones
- Sachin Tendulkar
- Most runs in Tests and ODIs.
- Most centuries in both formats.
- Only player to score 100 international centuries.
- Played 200 Test matches, a record.
- First to score a double century in ODIs.
- Joe Root
- Fastest Englishman to 10,000 Test runs.
- England’s leading run-scorer across formats.
- Only England batter with 50+ hundreds and 100+ fifties in all formats.
- Closing in on Tendulkar’s Test run record, needing about 4,000 more runs to surpass him.
Legacy and Influence
Tendulkar’s name has become an icon for the entire country; thereby, his influence remained far beyond the sport to offer inspiration to generations of players and fans. He is an understatement of a truly humble man with a full set of attributes allowing him to be the epitome of work ethic and professionalism in cricket.
Joe Root proceeds with an ascent to greatness in England’s modern milieu. Consistency and respect are bestowed on him due to his performances under pressure. Root’s captaincy and seniority have also been key contributing factors to England’s reassertion as a serious side in Test cricket.
So Who’s Best?
Although Joe Root is a remarkable player statistically and has a chance of breaking some of Tendulkar’s records, particularly within Test cricket, Sachin Tendulkar’s overall contributions to cricket, his longevity, and influence on the game, are unparalleled. Not to mention, they are also compared with records in all formats, which was a different speaking point. Ultimately, he had the capability to lead India in a significant transformation in cricket, representing the number one jersey and the world’s greatest batsman. Lastly, while both Tendulkar and Joe Root are labeled as icons, Tendulkar is the proud owner’s most distinct label as no Indians are greater than Tendulkar.
Comparing Joe Root with Sachin Tendulkar is comparing two masterpieces from two different eras. Root is a modern-day genius with the ever-present possibility to rewrite history; meanwhile, Tendulkar’s name was built up on decades of dominance and inspiration. They have enriched the game in their ways, and their name and work will eternally be celebrated.
However, Root’s journey is far from over. If he continues at his current rate and maintains his form, he could challenge Tendulkar’s Test run record and further cement his place among the all-time greats.
Written By Smita Singh
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