The Yorkshireman surpassed Ricky Ponting’s tally of 13,378 runs on Friday, day three of the fourth Test against India, and now sits at 13,409 runs from 157 Tests -- behind only Tendulkar’s towering 15,921. Root made his Test debut in the 2012 Nagpur Test, a series that marked the twilight of Tendulkar’s career.

Just one man stands in the way of Joe Root and cricketing history. With his latest batting masterclass of 150, the England star became the second highest run-scorer in test cricket behind India great Sachin Tendulkar.

Only Don Bradman (19 v England) and Sunil Gavaskar (13 v West Indies) have scored more Test centuries against a single opponent than Root’s 12 against India, a testament to his particular ability against spin bowling and the unique demands of the sub-continent.