Sun Dec 01 08:22:06 UTC 2024: ## Root Surpasses Tendulkar’s Record in Test Run Chases
**Christchurch, New Zealand:** England batsman Joe Root surpassed Sachin Tendulkar’s record for most runs in successful Test run chases on Sunday. Root remained unbeaten on 23 runs off 15 balls during England’s 8-wicket victory over New Zealand at Hagley Oval, surpassing Tendulkar’s previous mark of 1625 runs. England achieved the 104-run target in a record-breaking 12.2 overs, the fastest ever chase of a 100+ run target in Test history.
Playing in his 150th Test, Root also overtook fellow Englishman Alistair Cook and South African Graeme Smith in the process. He achieved this milestone in 11 fewer innings than Tendulkar, bringing his total in successful chases to 1630 runs from 49 innings at an average of over 40, with two centuries and eight fifties. While Root’s contribution to England victories stands at 620 runs, Tendulkar’s is 715 runs, with only former South African captain Graeme Smith exceeding 1000 runs in winning chases. The overall gap between Root (12,777 Test runs) and Tendulkar (15,921 Test runs) remains significant at 3,144 runs, despite Root achieving this feat in 55 fewer innings.
This achievement comes after Root was dismissed for a duck in the first innings, becoming only the third batsman after Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting to be out for zero in their 150th Test match. The victory puts England in a stronger position in the series, despite their elimination from the 2025 World Test Championship final race. The news of Root’s record overshadowed other cricket news including updates on the potential selection of Mohammed Shami for the Australia tour.
First Piper 