Joe Root has added another feather to his already illustrious cap, becoming the first England cricketer to surpass 20,000 international runs across all formats. Root’s achievement came during the ongoing first Test against Pakistan at Multan, where he scored an exceptional 262 runs from 375 balls, contributing to England's commanding total of 823/7d.

Root’s feat places him in an elite club of cricketers, with Virat Kohli being the most recent member before him. The Englishman reached this landmark in just 350 matches, a testament to his consistency and adaptability across formats. In comparison, Kohli has amassed 27,041 runs in 535 matches, showcasing the high level at which both players have performed throughout their careers.

Root's innings was not only a personal milestone but also a pivotal part of England’s massive total, built on the foundation of his 454-run partnership with Harry Brook for the third wicket. While Brook went on to score a triple-century, Root’s contribution of 262 runs further underscored his position as one of the finest batters of his generation.

This performance also saw Root scoring his sixth double-century in Test cricket, making him England’s second-highest double-centurion. He surpassed the legendary Alastair Cook in this regard, trailing only Wally Hammond, who holds the record with seven double tons.

Players with the Most Double Hundreds for England in Tests:

Wally Hammond: 7

Joe Root: 6*

Alastair Cook: 5

Leonard Hutton: 4

Kevin Pietersen: 3

Root’s consistency over the years has been extraordinary, as he continues to break records and set new benchmarks for future generations of English cricketers. With over 20,000 runs in international cricket, he now ranks second among active cricketers in terms of total runs, behind only Virat Kohli.

Most Runs in International Career Among Active Cricketers:

Virat Kohli: 27,041 runs

Joe Root: 20,079 runs

Rohit Sharma: 19,276 runs

Kane Williamson: 18,266 runs

Steve Smith: 16,362 runs