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Karthik Backs Root for Tendulkar Record, Doubts Kohli
Joe Root is an England batter who is getting close to a famous Test cricket record.
Sachin Tendulkar holds the record, with 15,921 Test runs.
Root has 14,278, so he needs 1,643 more.
Former India cricketer Dinesh Karthik thinks Root could do it.
Root still plays many Test matches, which gives him opportunities to score.
Karthik is less sure about Virat Kohli reaching 100 international centuries.
Kohli has 86, but now plays only one-day international cricket.
The article says India has about 25–30 ODIs before the end of the 2027 World Cup.
Kohli’s next listed series is against New Zealand, starting November 4.
Dinesh Karthik believes Joe Root has a good chance of passing Sachin Tendulkar’s Test-run record of 15,921.
Root has scored 14,278 runs in 169 Tests, leaving him 1,643 runs short of Tendulkar’s mark.
The article says Root may need about 16–20 more Tests to surpass the record, depending on his scoring rate.
Karthik says it will be very hard for Virat Kohli to reach 100 international centuries; Kohli currently has 86.
Kohli has retired from Tests and T20Is and now plays ODIs; India is due to begin an ODI series against New Zealand on November 4.
- Who
- Dinesh Karthik assessed Joe Root’s and Virat Kohli’s chances of reaching cricket records.
- What
- Karthik backed Root to potentially pass Sachin Tendulkar’s Test-run record but said it would be very hard for Kohli to reach 100 international centuries.
- Where
- The assessment was made on Cricbuzz; the upcoming series is India’s ODI series against New Zealand.
- When
- The article was published October 4, 2026; Kohli’s next listed ODI series begins November 4.
- Why
- Karthik cited Root’s continued Test opportunities and scoring form, while Kohli’s retirement from Tests and T20Is leaves him playing only ODIs.
Key facts
- Tendulkar’s Test-run record
- 15,921 runs
- Root’s Test record
- 14,278 runs after 169 Tests
- Root’s gap to the record
- 1,643 runs
- Estimated Tests Root may need
- About 16–20, according to the article’s estimate
- Kohli’s international centuries
- 86
- Kohli’s next listed series
- India’s ODI series against New Zealand, beginning November 4
- Publication date
- October 4, 2026
Quotes
Dinesh Karthik
Former India cricketer commenting on Joe Root’s chances of breaking Tendulkar’s Test runs record.
“Good chance. They play a lot of Test cricket in England. He still looks quite straight. He’s happily scoring runs every time he goes out to bat. I think it’s very possible for him.”
news18.com
“Wow, I really wish he did, but I think it’s very hard.”
news18.com
Sources
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