The fifth Test match of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at The Oval in 2025 has etched itself into cricket history, not just for the thrilling contest between India and England but for a monumental individual achievement by England’s batting maestro, Joe Root. On Day 2 of the match, Root’s 29-run knock propelled him past Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar to become the third-highest run-scorer in home Test matches, a feat that underscores his remarkable consistency and class in the longest format of the game. This article delves into the significance of Root’s milestone, the context of the match, and the broader narrative of the fiercely contested India-England Test series.
The Milestone Moment
Joe Root’s ascent in Test cricket’s record books has been a steady climb, marked by a blend of technical brilliance and an insatiable hunger for runs. During England’s first innings at The Oval, Root’s gritty 29-run contribution was enough to push his tally to 7,220 runs in home Tests, surpassing Tendulkar’s 7,216 runs scored in India. This achievement places Root behind only Ricky Ponting (7,578 runs in Australia) and Mahela Jayawardene (7,167 runs in Sri Lanka) among the all-time leading run-scorers in home Test conditions. Additionally, Root crossed the 2,000-run mark against India in home Tests, joining an elite group of players who have dominated a single opponent on their own turf.
The significance of overtaking Tendulkar, a figure revered as one of cricket’s greatest-ever batsmen, cannot be overstated. Tendulkar’s 7,216 runs in India came across a storied career spanning 200 Test matches, with 51 centuries and an average of over 50. Root, at 34 years old and in his 157th Test, has achieved this milestone in fewer matches, a testament to his consistency and adaptability in England’s often challenging conditions.
Root’s achievement was not just a statistical triumph but a symbolic one. As he acknowledged in a post-match interview, Tendulkar was an inspiration during his formative years. “Growing up, I used to pretend to be Ricky Ponting, Kumar Sangakkara, or Brian Lara in my garden or local club. Just to see my name next to theirs is pretty cool,” Root said, reflecting on his place among cricket’s pantheon. His humility in downplaying the chase for Tendulkar’s overall Test run record (15,921 runs) while focusing on team success further endeared him to fans.
The Match Context
The fifth Test at The Oval, part of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, was poised to be a decider in a series that had seen both teams trade blows. England entered the match leading 2-1, thanks to commanding performances at Headingley and Old Trafford, while India, buoyed by a historic win at Edgbaston, aimed to level the series. The Oval’s pitch, known for offering assistance to seamers, set the stage for a gripping contest.
Day 1 saw wickets tumble in tough batting conditions, with India’s middle order exposed after a careless run-out of captain Shubman Gill. Karun Nair, given a lifeline, held firm to stabilize the innings, but it was Day 2 that saw the match swing dramatically. India’s fast bowler Mohammed Siraj delivered a fiery spell, claiming four wickets, including Root’s, to dismantle England’s middle order. Siraj’s performance, supported by Prasidh Krishna’s four wickets, bowled England out for 247, giving India a slender lead of 23 runs.
India’s second innings was anchored by Yashasvi Jaiswal’s magnificent century (118) and a surprising half-century (66) from nightwatchman Akash Deep, who forged a record-breaking 107-run partnership with Jaiswal. Sachin Tendulkar himself praised the duo on X, noting, “Outstanding 100 by Yashasvi on a sporting pitch that tested courage and concentration. Full marks to Akashdeep too, batting with heart and determination under pressure. Keep fighting, India.” However, quick wickets after lunch, including Gill’s dismissal for 11, left India at 273 for 6, with Ravindra Jadeja and Dhruv Jurel tasked with extending the lead past 270.
By the close of Day 3, India had set England a daunting target of 374 runs. England’s reply was dealt an early blow when Siraj’s inswinging yorker dismissed Zak Crawley for 14, leaving the hosts at 50/1, still needing 324 runs with nine wickets in hand. The stage was set for a thrilling finale, with Root and Harry Brook at the crease, facing a formidable Indian bowling attack led by Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah.
Root’s Journey to Greatness
Joe Root’s rise to cricketing stardom has been characterized by his ability to combine classical technique with modern adaptability. His 38 Test centuries and 104 fifty-plus scores place him second only to Tendulkar (119 fifty-plus scores) in Test cricket history. Earlier in the series, Root surpassed Jacques Kallis and Rahul Dravid to become the third-highest run-scorer in Test cricket with 13,409 runs, trailing only Ponting (13,378) and Tendulkar (15,921). His teammate Jos Buttler, speaking on his YouTube channel, emphasized Root’s focus on team success over personal milestones, stating, “He’s not hunting down Sachin Tendulkar because that’s definitely not the way he plays his cricket or how he sees it.”
Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting, whose own record Root is closing in on, backed the Englishman to potentially surpass Tendulkar’s all-time run tally. “To score 25 Test hundreds after turning 30 says everything about his mental capacity. He still has that hunger and desire to improve,” Ponting noted. He predicted that if Root maintains his current average of 85 runs per game and plays another 20–30 Tests, Tendulkar’s record could be within reach.
Root’s milestone at The Oval also highlighted his dominance against India. His 2,000-plus runs against the visitors in home Tests place him among an elite group, with his ability to counter India’s varied bowling attack—featuring the pace of Bumrah and Siraj and the spin of Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav—demonstrating his versatility. A heated exchange between Root and Prasidh Krishna on Day 2, which required umpire intervention, underscored the intensity of the contest and Root’s competitive spirit.
India’s Fightback and Series Context
India’s performance in the series has been a tale of resilience and individual brilliance. Shubman Gill, leading the side with 754 runs at an average of 75.40, has been the standout performer, supported by KL Rahul (532 runs) and Ravindra Jadeja (516 runs). The trio’s feat of each surpassing 500 runs in the series marked a historic first for Indian cricket, underscoring the team’s batting depth. Yashasvi Jaiswal’s century and Akash Deep’s half-century at The Oval further highlighted India’s ability to adapt to challenging conditions.
On the bowling front, Mohammed Siraj has been the linchpin, with his 203 international wickets surpassing Tendulkar’s career tally of 201. His fiery spell on Day 2, which included the dismissals of Root, Ollie Pope, and Jacob Bethell, showcased his command over seam and swing. Varun Aaron’s commentary, “Mohammed Siraj has one muscle that’s bigger than anyone else… his heart,” captured the bowler’s relentless spirit. Prasidh Krishna’s four wickets and Akash Deep’s record-breaking 10/187 at Edgbaston earlier in the series further bolstered India’s bowling arsenal.
The Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy has been a run-fest, with nine batters—five from India and four from England—surpassing 400 runs, a record for a single Test series. The batting-friendly pitches at Headingley, Old Trafford, and Lord’s contrasted with The Oval’s seamer-friendly surface, making India’s lead of over 330 runs a formidable challenge for England’s Bazball approach.
The Road Ahead
As the match progresses, England face a 123-year challenge to chase 374 runs at The Oval, a feat that would require their aggressive Bazball strategy to defy history. Root, unbeaten at the crease with Harry Brook, remains England’s best hope, but India’s bowlers, with Siraj and Bumrah in top form, are poised to exploit the overcast conditions. The series, poised at 2-1, hangs in the balance, with India aiming to square it 2-2 and England seeking a 3-1 victory.
Root’s milestone, while a personal triumph, is also a reminder of cricket’s evolving landscape. His ability to combine the elegance of a bygone era with the demands of modern Test cricket has made him a worthy successor to Tendulkar’s legacy. As Sachin himself noted in 2021, Root was the only England batsman who looked capable of scoring big hundreds against India’s world-class seam attack, a prophecy that has come to fruition in this series.
Looking Ahead
Joe Root’s surpassing of Sachin Tendulkar’s home Test runs record is a landmark moment in cricket, one that celebrates both individual brilliance and the enduring appeal of Test cricket. The fifth Test at The Oval, with its high stakes and dramatic swings, has provided the perfect stage for such a milestone. As the match heads toward a thrilling climax, Root’s achievement serves as a bridge between past and present, honoring Tendulkar’s legacy while cementing his own place among the game’s greats. For fans of both teams, the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy has delivered a series for the ages, with Root’s record-breaking feat as its crowning jewel.Loo
