Joe Root faster than Sachin Tendulkar to 23K international runs, nears Rahul Dravid
Joe Root became the second-fastest batter to reach 23,000 international runs, achieving the landmark in 521 innings during England’s first ODI against Sri Lanka in Durham on Tuesday.
Root moved past Sachin Tendulkar’s mark of 522 innings to reach the milestone, with only fellow India star Virat Kohli, who got there in 490 innings, ahead of him.advertisement❮❯ Read Full StoryFASTEST TO 23,000 INTERNATIONAL RUNSVirat Kohli — 490 inningsJoe Root — 521 inningsSachin Tendulkar — 522 inningsRicky Ponting — 544 inningsThe milestone came during an innings in which Root scored 44 off 52 balls, hitting five fours. He looked composed for much of his stay at the crease, rotating the strike and finding the boundary when opportunities came his way.
Root now has 23,041 international runs and sits eighth on the all-time list. He is 1,167 runs behind Rahul Dravid, who occupies seventh place with 24,208 runs. Vintage Root23,000 international runs and countingFollow along live https://t.co/gPrv7HKN7K pic.twitter.com/LZU58Q8RaV— England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 22, 2026MOST RUNS IN INTERNATIONAL CRICKETSachin Tendulkar (India) — 34,357 runs — 782 inningsVirat Kohli (India) — 28,359 runs — 629 inningsKumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) — 28,016 runs — 666 inningsRicky Ponting (Australia) — 27,483 runs — 668 inningsMahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka) — 25,957 runs — 725 inningsJacques Kallis (South Africa) — 25,534 runs — 617 inningsRahul Dravid (India) — 24,208 runs — 605 inningsJoe Root (England) — 23,041 runs — 521 inningsHOW ROOT PLAYED HIS 44-RUN KNOCKRoot began carefully before gradually finding his rhythm against Sri Lanka’s pace and spin attack. He opened his boundary account with a wristy whip through mid-wicket before producing two fluent drives through the off side against Asitha Fernando.
The former England captain was also effective against spin, rotating the strike with singles and bringing out a reverse sweep against Dunith Wellalage. He helped England reach 100 with a single off Dushmantha Chameera before continuing to anchor the innings.
Root’s innings ended when debutant Sachindu Colombage produced a delivery that landed on a relatively shorter length and gripped and turned sharply. The ball beat Root’s outside edge and hit the top of off stump, giving Colombage his maiden ODI wicket.- EndsPublished By: sabyasachi chowdhuryPublished On: Sep 22, 2026 21:01 IST
