England’s star cricketer Joe Root recently spoke to Harsha Bhogle on Sony Sports, where he shared his admiration for Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar. Root, who is now the second-highest run-scorer in Test cricket, is closing in on Tendulkar’s record and took time to reflect on his journey and inspirations.
Root recalled a tweet he posted back in 2013 that has resurfaced:
“Sachin made his debut for India before I was born. Then played in my Test debut. #ThankYouSachin.”
Joe Root reflects on the greatness of Sachin Tendulkar ✨#SonySportsNetwork #GroundTumharaJeetHamari #ENGvIND #NayaIndia #DhaakadIndia #TeamIndia #ExtraaaInnings pic.twitter.com/aJJ97wfi6d
— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) July 26, 2025
Speaking now, Root said, “Sachin is one of the greatest cricketers ever. The way he handled pressure and performed was just amazing. Playing against him was a big honour, and I always tried to copy his style.”
He also shared a memorable moment from his first tour to India in 2012. “Pujara had scored a double century in the first match. In the second game, when he got out early, the crowd cheered loudly. At first, I didn’t understand why – then I realized it was because Sachin was coming to bat. That moment showed how much people loved him.”
Recently, Root scored a brilliant 150 against India in Manchester, helping him pass cricket greats like Rahul Dravid, Jacques Kallis, and Ricky Ponting. Now, with 13,409 Test runs, he’s just 2,512 runs behind Tendulkar’s all-time record of 15,921 runs.
Root called it a “pinch-yourself moment,” saying, “As a kid, I used to pretend I was Ricky Ponting, Kumar Sangakkara, or Brian Lara. Seeing my name next to theirs is pretty cool.”
When asked about breaking Tendulkar’s record, Root stayed humble. “It’s not something I’m focusing on. I just want to help the team win matches. The rest will take care of itself.”
He also said he’s aware of the attention on his milestones but doesn’t let it distract him. “The numbers are everywhere. But if you’re thinking only about yourself, you’re not doing your job properly.”
