Joe Root is doing his best to get closer to some of Sachin Tendulkar’s biggest records in Test cricket. While the discussion around whether Root can eventually cross Tendulkar’s record for the most Test runs continues, the England batter has now equaled another major record held by the Indian legend.
Joe Root equals Sachin Tendulkar record for the most half-centuries in Test cricket, with both batters now having 68 Test fifties to their names.
The England star achieved the milestone during the first Test against Pakistan at Headingley, where he scored 66 in England’s first innings.
It is another major achievement for Root, who continues to move closer to Tendulkar in several all-time Test batting records.
Joe Root Equals Sachin Tendulkar Record for Most Test Fifties
Before this match, Tendulkar was alone at the top of the list with 68 Test half-centuries in 200 matches.
Root entered the Pakistan series with 67 fifties from 166 Tests. In his 167th Test, he crossed the 50-run mark to equal Tendulkar’s tally of 68 Test half-centuries.
Root eventually scored 66 runs from 112 balls, hitting 10 fours before Khurram Shahzad trapped him lbw.
The numbers once again show just how consistent Root has been in the longest format. He has reached Tendulkar’s tally of 68 Test fifties in 33 fewer matches.
However, there is an important point when comparing their overall Test records. Tendulkar converted many of his starts into centuries and finished his career with 51 Test hundreds.
Therefore, the number of half-centuries alone cannot decide who has been the more consistent or successful batter.
Still, reaching 68 Test fifties in his 167th match is another remarkable achievement in Root’s outstanding career.
Most Half-Centuries in Test Cricket
Root reaching 68 Test fifties puts him alongside one of the greatest batters the game has ever seen.
For years, Tendulkar’s longevity and consistency made several of his Test records appear extremely difficult to reach.
Root, however, has continued to move closer.
The England batter has been remarkably consistent, particularly in the second half of his Test career. His ability to score runs in different conditions and against different attacks has helped him climb several all-time batting lists.
Matching Tendulkar’s 68 Test fifties is the latest addition to that list.
And Root now has the opportunity to move ahead of the Indian legend and take the record outright the next time he crosses 50 without converting it into a century.
🚨🔥 JOE ROOT JOINS SACHIN TENDULKAR AT THE TOP!
MOST FIFTIES IN TEST HISTORY: 🏏
👑 Joe Root — 68 (167 Tests)*
🐐 Sachin Tendulkar — 68 (200 Tests)ROOT EQUALS SACHIN’S ALL-TIME RECORD — AND DOES IT IN 33 FEWER TESTS! 🤯🔥#PAKvsEng pic.twitter.com/lfEcd5CrPA
— CricInformer (@CricInformer) August 20, 2026
Joe Root Continues His Excellent Form
What makes the achievement even more impressive is Root’s recent form across formats.
Before the Pakistan Test, Root had registered three consecutive 50-plus scores against India in the ODI series. He scored 76 not out, 99 not out and 74 not out in those three matches.
He has now followed those knocks with 66 against Pakistan in Test cricket.
That means Root has registered a 50-plus score in each of his last four international innings.
At the age of 35, the England batter continues to score runs across formats and remains one of the most dependable batters in international cricket.
His technique and ability to adjust according to different conditions have remained major strengths throughout his career.
🚨 JOE ROOT JUST CAN’T STOP SCORING RUNS! 👑🔥
Another match, ANOTHER FIFTY FOR THE ENGLAND SUPERSTAR! 🏏💥
Root brings up a brilliant half-century in the 1st Test against Pakistan, making it an incredible FOUR CONSECUTIVE INTERNATIONAL INNINGS WITH A 50+ SCORE! 🤯#JoeRoot… pic.twitter.com/CcTYZDrV3d
— CricInformer (@CricInformer) August 20, 2026
Root’s 66 Helps England Against Pakistan
Root’s half-century was not only important because of the record.
England needed experience in the middle order against Pakistan, and Root once again provided stability.
He remained patient against the Pakistan attack and reached his half-century before eventually moving to 66.
Khurram Shahzad finally ended his innings by trapping him lbw, but by then Root had added another major milestone to his Test career.
For Pakistan, removing Root was an important breakthrough because of his ability to turn starts into big scores.
Joe Root Continues to Move Closer to Sachin Tendulkar
The bigger record, however, still remains ahead of him.
Sachin Tendulkar finished his Test career with 15,921 runs, the most by any batter in the history of Test cricket.
Root has already moved into second place on the all-time Test run-scoring list and continues to close the gap on Sachin Tendulkar. Root now has 14,180 Test runs in 167 matches* and is just 1,741 runs behind Tendulkar’s record tally of 15,921 Test runs.
Whether he eventually breaks Tendulkar’s Test runs record remains to be seen. A lot will depend on how long Root continues playing Test cricket and whether he can maintain his current level of consistency.
But Root is already beginning to match some of Tendulkar’s other remarkable numbers.
The comparison should also be kept in perspective. Tendulkar played 200 Tests across a career spanning 24 years and finished with 51 centuries alongside his 68 fifties.
Root’s career has developed in a different era and under different playing conditions. Therefore, individual records can be compared, but they do not necessarily settle the wider debate between two great batters.
Another Major Test Record for Joe Root
The fact that Joe Root equals Sachin Tendulkar record for 68 Test half-centuries is another indication of the level of consistency he has maintained throughout his career.
Reaching the mark in 167 Tests compared to Tendulkar’s 200 is impressive, although both players have very different overall records and conversion numbers.
For Root, however, the records continue to arrive.
He remains one of England’s most important Test batters and is now chasing numbers that once appeared extremely difficult for another batter to reach.
The biggest question remains whether he can eventually get to Tendulkar’s 15,921 Test runs.
That answer will take some time.
For now, Root can celebrate drawing level with Tendulkar on 68 Test half-centuries. And considering his current form, he may not have to wait too long before moving ahead.