Joe Root Century Lights Up Ashes, Nears Sachin Tendulkar Test Record -

December 5, 2025

0 likes

Joe Root Century Lights Up Ashes, Nears Sachin Tendulkar Test Record

In the heart of Brisbane’s Gabba stadium, under the glow of pink ball lights, Joe Root delivered a standout performance. His unbeaten 135 guided England to 325 for 9 on the first day of the second Ashes Test. This Joe Root century marked his 40th in Test cricket, a big step toward Sachin Tendulkar’s record for most runs in the format.

The match started with England in trouble. Early wickets fell quickly, leaving the team at 122 for 5. But Root stepped in and changed the game. He built his innings with steady defense and smart shots. By the end of the day, his Joe Root century stood tall, not out at 135 from 147 balls. He hit 14 fours and one six, showing control against Australia’s bowlers. Moreover, this knock ended a long wait—Root’s first Test century in Australia came after 12 years. It was his first since 2013 in Perth.

This Joe Root century comes at an important time in the Ashes series. England aims to level the score after a loss in the first Test. Root’s calm approach helped the lower order add vital runs. Partnership with the tail pushed the total past 300. His presence at the crease gave England a strong start in the pink-ball Test. Now, with this effort, Root’s total Test runs hit 13,686 in 291 innings. That puts him just 2,235 runs behind Sachin Tendulkar’s 15,921.

Sachin Tendulkar’s Test record has stood for years as the benchmark. The Indian star played 200 Tests, scoring those 15,921 runs at an average of 53.78. He notched 51 centuries and 68 fifties along the way. Tendulkar’s career spanned from 1989 to 2013, full of memorable chases and big scores. Root, at 34 years old, has time on his side to catch up. His average sits at 51.45, close to Tendulkar’s mark. Additionally, Root’s 40 centuries rank him fourth all-time, behind only Tendulkar’s 51, Jacques Kallis’s 45, and Ricky Ponting’s 41.

Let’s look closer at the top run-scorers in Test cricket. Up to the end of day one in this Ashes Test, the list reads like this:

Players	Runs Scored
Sachin Tendulkar	15,921
Joe Root	13,686*
Ricky Ponting	13,378
Jacques Kallis	13,289
Rahul Dravid	13,288

Root’s path to this point started young. He debuted for England in 2012 against India, scoring 73 in his first innings. Since then, he built a solid career. By 2025, with 148 Tests under his belt, Root became England’s most capped player. Joe Root century in Brisbane highlights his growth. Earlier in the Ashes, he struggled, but here he found form. Transitioning from captain to batter, Root shed leadership duties in 2022. That change let him focus purely on runs, pushing him toward the Sachin Tendulkar record.

The centuries list adds more context to Root’s chase. Here’s the top five for most Test hundreds:

Players	Centuries
Sachin Tendulkar	51
Jacques Kallis	45
Ricky Ponting	41
Joe Root	40*
Kumar Sangakkara	38

With 40 tons, Root is just 11 shy of Tendulkar’s 51. Each Joe Root century chips away at that number. His latest in the Ashes came on a tricky pitch. The pink ball swung early, but Root waited for loose deliveries. By tea, he had 80, then accelerated to reach three figures mark. That moment sealed his place in the record books.

Root’s consistency stands out in his stats. Over 291 innings, he averages 51.45. That’s high for modern Tests, where bowlers often dominate. Tendulkar’s 53.78 came in an era with fewer reviews and flatter pitches. Still, Root holds his own. For instance, he has 66 fifties to Tendulkar’s 68. Small differences, but Root keeps closing in on the Sachin Tendulkar Test record.

Sachin Tendulkar set his record through sheer volume. He played more innings than most, but quality shone too. His 241 not out against Australia in 2003-04 is legendary. Root has his gems, like 218 against India in 2021. Each big score edges him closer. With 2,235 runs needed, Root could break the Sachin Tendulkar Test record in 2026 or 2027, if he stays fit.

Breaking the 12-Year Wait for an Australian Century

Root’s 135 at the Gabba broke a 12-year wait for a Test century in Australia. Before this innings, Root had not scored a Test century on Australian soil since his last one came many years ago. This fact shows how difficult it is to score in Australia, where the cricket conditions can be challenging for batters. The pink ball in a day-night Test match also adds difficulty to batting.

Root’s performance in such tough conditions proves his skill as a Test batsman. He showed that he could adapt to different playing conditions and still score runs. His century at the Gabba, in front of tough Australian bowlers like Mitchell Starc, proves his ability to play at the highest level of Test cricket.

Looking at Root’s career arc, peaks and dips define it. Post-2019, he hit a rough patch, averaging under 40. A technical tweak—higher hands, better alignment—fixed that. Since 2021, he averages over 60. That surge includes multiple Joe Root centuries, like two in a Leeds Test against New Zealand. Each adds to his 13,686 runs, inching toward Tendulkar’s 15,921.

In the broader Test runs race, Root passed Dravid and Kallis recently. Ponting’s 13,378 fell behind last year. Now, only Tendulkar blocks the top spot. With 2,235 to go, series like the 2025-26 India tour could add hundreds. But for now, this Joe Root century in Ashes shines.

Career highlights for Root include 2021’s record-breaking year: 1,915 runs. That vaulted him up lists. Now, with 13,686, the Sachin Tendulkar record feels real. Just 14% more runs needed.

The centuries gap—11 to go—seems doable. Root’s form suggests one per series. At that rate, by 2027, he matches 51. But runs matter most for the top spot.

This Ashes Joe Root century revives memories of past greats. Like Tendulkar’s Sydney 2004 ton. Both under pressure, both delivered. Root’s Brisbane knock stands as a milestone. 40th ton, 13,686 runs—steps to history. The chase continues, bat by bat.