Former England all-rounder Samit Patel believes it would be an "unbelievable" achievement if Joe Root goes past Sachin Tendulkar's record for the most runs in Test cricket, praising the England batter's hunger for runs and remarkable longevity at the highest level.
Speaking to ANI in Dubai on the sidelines of the ongoing World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2026, Patel said Root's continued appetite for scoring has been a defining feature of his career as he closes in on Tendulkar's all-time Test record.
"If he can do it, that would be an unbelievable effort. Sachin is probably my hero and idol growing up, and if someone does that, it would be unbelievable," Patel said.
The numbers on the chase
Tendulkar retired from Test cricket with 15,921 runs, the highest tally in the format's history. Root has crossed 14,278 Test runs as of 2026, leaving 1,643 runs between him and the Indian batting great's mark.
Patel described Root as one of the finest players to have played the game, saying he is sure the record is on the England batter's mind. He also spoke highly of England's all-format captain Harry Brook, calling him an "unbelievable talent" who plays shots all around the wicket and is "a player in full force at the minute".
WCL 2026 campaign
Patel is part of the England Champions side in WCL 2026, which has registered two wins in four matches and sits second on the points table. England Champions face Australia Champions in their final league-stage match on Wednesday, with a victory guaranteeing their place in the semi-finals.
Patel represented England in six Tests, 36 One-Day Internationals and 18 T20 Internationals between 2008 and 2015. A long-serving Nottinghamshire player, he made 629 appearances for the county over 22 years, scoring more than 25,000 runs and taking over 800 wickets across formats.
Sources: 'If Joe Root does it, would be unbelievable': Samit Patel on England batters chances of surpassing Tendulkar's Test runs record (livemint / ANI)
Speaking to ANI in Dubai on the sidelines of the ongoing World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2026, Patel said Root's continued appetite for scoring has been a defining feature of his career as he closes in on Tendulkar's all-time Test record.
"If he can do it, that would be an unbelievable effort. Sachin is probably my hero and idol growing up, and if someone does that, it would be unbelievable," Patel said.
The numbers on the chase
Tendulkar retired from Test cricket with 15,921 runs, the highest tally in the format's history. Root has crossed 14,278 Test runs as of 2026, leaving 1,643 runs between him and the Indian batting great's mark.
Patel described Root as one of the finest players to have played the game, saying he is sure the record is on the England batter's mind. He also spoke highly of England's all-format captain Harry Brook, calling him an "unbelievable talent" who plays shots all around the wicket and is "a player in full force at the minute".
WCL 2026 campaign
Patel is part of the England Champions side in WCL 2026, which has registered two wins in four matches and sits second on the points table. England Champions face Australia Champions in their final league-stage match on Wednesday, with a victory guaranteeing their place in the semi-finals.
Patel represented England in six Tests, 36 One-Day Internationals and 18 T20 Internationals between 2008 and 2015. A long-serving Nottinghamshire player, he made 629 appearances for the county over 22 years, scoring more than 25,000 runs and taking over 800 wickets across formats.
Sources: 'If Joe Root does it, would be unbelievable': Samit Patel on England batters chances of surpassing Tendulkar's Test runs record (livemint / ANI)
