Wasim Jaffer believes Joe Root can surpass Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar's tally of 15,921 Test runs that not many cricketers can imagine surpassing, even legends like Ricky Ponting, Jacques Kallis, and Rahul Dravid fell around short of the target.

England's Joe Root is the only cricket player in the current era who might have a shot at reaching the master blasters' mark.

Root is the only batter amongst active cricketers, including the likes of David Warner, Steve Smith, and Virat Kohli, to have more than 10,000 Test runs behind him.

Former India opener Wasim Jaffer has advocated for Root breaking Tendulkar's record but also laid down the condition for it to happen.

Speaking on ESPNcricinfo, Jaffer said, "He can do it if he plays that long. He is only 31 years old. We all know that the career of English and Australian players isn't long. But, if he plays another 5-6 years, I feel that he is capable of breaking the record."

How numbers vouch for Root in comparison to others

Tendulkar finished with 15,921 runs from 200 Tests at an average of 53.78 with 51 centuries and 68 half-centuries.

On the other hand, Root has 10,458 runs from 121 matches for the Three Lions at an average of 50.76, including 28 tons and 54 fifties.

It is important to remember that the 31-year-old has scored 2,635 runs and 11 centuries since 2021.

Amongst the famed 'Fab Four', Kohli is the closest to Root, with 8,074 runs. Steve Smith (8,016) can surpass Kohli if he can manage 59 runs in the second Test between Australia and Sri Lanka at Galle starting Friday.

Kane Williamson is further in line with 7,368 runs in 88 Tests.

The former England captain is also 2,014 runs away from becoming England's leading Test run-getter, surpassing Sir Alastair Cook's tally of 12,472, which came in 161 matches.