Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has expressed confidence that England’s star batsman Joe Root could surpass Sachin Tendulkar's legendary Test runs record, provided he maintains his current form and motivation over the next four years. Root recently crossed the 12,000-run milestone during the Edgbaston Test against West Indies, further cementing his status as one of cricket’s modern greats.

At 32 years old, Root has compiled an impressive 12,027 runs in 143 Tests, averaging 50.11 with 32 centuries and 63 half-centuries. He currently sits as the seventh-highest run-scorer in Test history.

Root is within striking distance of overtaking cricketing legends like Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara (12,400 runs) and former England captain Alastair Cook (12,472 runs). Additionally, he needs just 1,351 more runs to surpass Ponting's own total of 13,378 Test runs. But most notably, Root is less than 4,000 runs away from breaking Sachin Tendulkar's all-time record of 15,921 Test runs, a feat many thought unreachable.

"He could potentially break Sachin Tendulkar’s world record,” Ponting said on the latest episode of the ICC Review “He has improved a lot in the last couple of years. Joe Root reached his prime in early 30s and his conversion rate has been magnificent. Four or five years ago, he was dealing in half-centuries and struggling to touch the three-figure mark. The situation is different at the moment. He is converting his fifties into hundreds. That’s a big turnaround for him.”

Ponting further added “He has improved a lot in the last couple of years. Joe Root reached his prime in early 30s and his conversion rate has been magnificent. Four or five years ago, he was dealing in half-centuries and struggling to touch the three-figure mark. The situation is different at the moment. He is converting his fifties into hundreds. That’s a big turnaround for him.”