Joe Root has added another feather to his illustrious cap, surpassing the legendary Sachin Tendulkar to become the leading run-scorer in the 4th innings of Test cricket. Root achieved this milestone during England’s commanding eight-wicket win against New Zealand in the first Test at Christchurch.

Root remained unbeaten on 23 off 25 balls, playing a crucial role in England's chase of 104 runs. With this cameo, he took his total tally of 4th innings runs to 1,630, surpassing Tendulkar’s 1,625 runs. Root achieved this feat in just 49 innings, while Tendulkar set his record across 60 innings.

Top 5 Run-Scorers in 4th Innings of Test Cricket 

1. Joe Root – 1,630 runs (49 innings)
2. Sachin Tendulkar – 1,625 runs (60 innings)
3. Alastair Cook – 1,611 runs
4. Graeme Smith – 1,611 runs
5. Shivnarine Chanderpaul – 1,580 runs

Root’s contributions in the 4th innings have been pivotal throughout his career, and this latest achievement further cements his legacy. He is also England's leading run-scorer in Test cricket and has maintained his stellar form, topping the run charts in the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 cycle with 1,773 runs.

In what was his 150th Test match, Root was dismissed for a duck in the first innings but more than made up for it in the second innings. He also shared the spotlight with debutant Jacob Bethell, whose unbeaten 50 guided England to victory alongside Root.

With this victory, England leads the three-match series 1-0, and Root’s record-breaking performance, coupled with Bethell’s sensational debut, has boosted the team's confidence heading into the second Test