Archive · 5 Oct 2026
Karthik Says Root Can Challenge Tendulkar Record, Kohli Faces Hurdles
Sachin Tendulkar holds a record for the most runs in Test cricket: 15,921.
Joe Root has scored 14,278, so he is getting closer to that total.
Dinesh Karthik thinks Root has a good chance of passing it.
The article estimates Root might need around 16 to 20 more Test matches.
Tendulkar also holds the record for 100 international centuries.
Virat Kohli has scored 86 centuries so far.
Karthik says reaching 100 will be very hard for Kohli.
Kohli now plays only one-day international cricket, and India’s next listed ODI series is against New Zealand, starting November 4.
Dinesh Karthik believes Joe Root has a good chance of breaking Sachin Tendulkar’s Test-run record of 15,921.
Root has 14,278 Test runs from 169 Tests, leaving him 1,643 short of Tendulkar’s total.
The article estimates Root may need about 16–20 more Tests to pass the record if he maintains his scoring rate.
Karthik says it would be very hard for Virat Kohli to reach 100 international centuries; Kohli has 86.
Kohli has retired from Tests and T20Is and is due to play in India’s ODI series against New Zealand, beginning November 4.
- Who
- Dinesh Karthik discussed Joe Root’s and Virat Kohli’s chances of reaching cricket records.
- What
- Karthik backed Root to potentially pass Tendulkar’s Test-run record but said reaching 100 international centuries would be very hard for Kohli.
- When
- The article was published October 4, 2026; India’s listed ODI series against New Zealand begins November 4.
- Where
- Karthik gave his comments on Cricbuzz.
- Why
- Karthik cited Root’s continued Test opportunities and run-scoring, while Kohli’s retirement from Tests and T20Is leaves him playing only ODIs.
- Tendulkar’s Test-run record
- 15,921 runs
- Root’s Test record
- 14,278 runs in 169 Tests
- Root’s gap to the record
- 1,643 runs
- Estimated Tests Root may need
- About 16–20, according to the article
- Kohli’s international centuries
- 86
- Kohli’s playing status
- Retired from Tests and T20Is; plays ODIs
- Next listed series
- India’s ODI series against New Zealand, beginning November 4
- Publication date
- October 4, 2026
