Joe Root now sits second on the list of all-time Test run-scorers – and there is a more than decent chance he ends up top of the pile before his career is over.

The England batter pushed past Rahul Dravid, Jacques Kallis and Ricky Ponting while scoring 150 – his 38th Test ton – on day three of the fourth Test against India at Emirates Old Trafford and it is now only Sachin Tendulkar keeping him off the summit.

Root has a way to go to eclipse The Little Master’s tally of 15,921 – he needs a further 2,513 runs to become No 1 – but at the relatively young age of 34, Tendulkar’s record seems attainable.

Will Root eclipse Tendulkar?

Sky Sports Cricket’s’ Michael Atherton:

“Root averages about 85 runs a Test match, so he’d likely need 30 Test matches to get up to Sachin.

“You never know what lies ahead in terms of freak injuries, sport can be a cruel mistress, but given a fair wind he should be up to Tendulkar in around two and a half years.

“Given how he’s playing right now – the best he’s ever played – and given there’s no diminishing of his love and desire for the game, the numbers will likely take care of themselves.”

Sky Sports Cricket’s Ricky Ponting:

“The way Root’s career his gone, there is absolutely no reason why he will not go past Tendulkar.

“He has transformed from someone who couldn’t kick on from fifty to get a hundred. Now it’s almost like every time he gets to that mark it’s a hundred – and a big hundred!

“I averaged over 60 after 100 Test matches, but then had a pretty dramatic drop off but because Joe’s technique is so good, I think he’s going to have less problems than others.”

You look at all the batters in the changing room and everyone has picked up something from Joe. Not necessarily technique-wise but more the way he goes about his cricket and his training. The way he is with the fans, he is a role model for the next generation coming through.

Root’s England team-mate Ollie Pope:

“He loves playing for England in Test cricket more than anything so I’m sure if his body allows…he’ll obviously be driven to make it to No 1.

“I think he just wants to keep playing for as long as he can.

“The excitement he still has to play Test cricket, the hunger he has for it, I wouldn’t be surprised if he can chase Tendulkar down.”

What makes ‘problem-solver’ Root so good?

Root’s immense Test haul – which now stands at 13,409 – has come 11 matches quicker than Ponting’s 13,357, and one innings fewer, with the former England captain enjoying a particular purple patch in recent years.

During Root’s first 97 Tests he struggled with his conversion rate, scoring only 17 centuries to 49 fifties, but in his 60 caps since the start of 2021 he has notched a staggering 21 tons, converting more than half of his half-centuries.

Ponting added: “The first thing that comes to mind for me is that he’s just a classical Test match batsman.

“He never seems under pressure, never seems rushed, always seems in control of what he wants to do – regardless of the bowler and conditions.

“Like all of the greats, he finds a way through experience to not make mistakes. He puts a high price on his wicket.

“What makes the best players the best is they’re great problem-solvers.

“Root, for a period of his career, had a problem with lbw, getting trapped on his crease. He was pushed back to balls he could have potentially come forward to.

“So what’s he done? He’s evolved and moved over the years from having his back foot on the crease line to six inches outside of the crease line, moving closer to the bowler to eliminate the lbw.

“It’s small changes, but it’s not an easy thing to do when you’re so set in your ways with your technique and your routines.

“You talk about the skill and class but you can’t underestimate the mental capacity side of things as well. He still has that hunger and desire to continue to find ways to improve and get better.

“Trust me, that doesn’t get easier the older you get.”

Watch day four of the fourth Test between England and India live on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event from 10.15am on Saturday (11am first ball), or stream without a contract.

England vs India – results and schedule

All games at 11am UK and Ireland; all on Sky Sports