Joe Root can break Sachin Tendulkar's multiple records in next innings [Source: AFP]England legend Joe Root had a dream start to the home series against Pakistan, as he slammed a flamboyant half-century in the first Test at Headingley. Root's heroics in Leeds marked his 68th fifty in Test cricket, with the English captain equalling Sachin Tendulkar's record for the joint-most half-centuries in the format. After winning the toss and deciding to bowl, the home side bowled out their Pakistani counterparts for 171 runs in the first innings. In response, England lost the crucial wickets of Ben Duckett and Emilio Gay in quick succession before Root steadied the ship, forming a steady partnership with Jordan Cox. Joe Root chasing Sachin Tendulkar's 3 records in next Test inningsJoe Root and Jordan Cox added 150 runs for the third wicket, with the former completing a valiant half-century in the process. Thus, he equalled Tendulkar's tally of joint-most Test fifties, adding another feather to his decorated cap. Root is chasing several batting records of Sachin Tendulkar. While he still needs 1742 runs to become the highest scorer in Test history, there are three major records of Tendulkar the English great can break in his next innings in the format, as mentioned below. 1. Most fifties in Tests- Root needs 1 fifty to go past TendulkarAs mentioned above, Root went level with Tendulkar for the joint-most fifties in Tests (68) with a half-century in the Headingley Test clash against Pakistan. If he slams another fifty in his next innings, Root will break Tendulkar's record for the most half-centuries in Test cricket. Also Read: Joe Root Shockingly Left Out Of Perfect Test Batter Built By Indian Veteran2. Test hundreds vs Pakistan- Root needs 1 century to surpass TendulkarSachin Tendulkar and Joe Root are among the batters who have more than 1000 Test runs against Pakistan. While Tendulkar scored 1057 runs at an average of 42.28, Root has already tallied 1553 runs across 32 innings against the Pakistani side. However, interestingly, both Sachin Tendulkar and Joe Root have two Test hundreds against Pakistan. Kumar Sangakkara tops the list with 10 centuries, while Tendulkar and Root have an equal number of tons in Tests against Pakistan. Therefore, if Root converts his start into a century in his next innings, he will go past Sachin Tendulkar on the list of batters with the most Test hundreds against Pakistan. 3. Fifty-plus scores at home vs Pakistan- Root needs 1 fifty-plus score to eclipse TendulkarKane Williamson holds the record for the most fifty-plus scores against Pakistan at home with four hundreds and nine half-centuries across formats. While Joe Root is the best-ever from England in this regard, Sachin Tendulkar has the second-most fifty-plus scores from India against Pakistan on home soil after the legendary Sunil Gavaskar. However, Root and Tendulkar have an equal number of fifty-plus scores in home matches against Pakistan. Both have coincidentally taken an equal number of innings (29) to register ten fifty-plus scores, including two hundreds and eight half-centuries. Therefore, if Root scores a fifty in his next innings, he will overtake Tendulkar on the list of batters with the most fifty-plus scores at home against Pakistan. Also Read: UAE's Asia Cup 2026 Squad Announced
