Former England cricket captain Joe Root is poised to play a crucial role in England’s quest to defend their World Cup title. Root’s exceptional batting prowess was instrumental in England securing their maiden Cricket World Cup victory in 2019, and his performance will once again be pivotal to their campaign.
England is set to commence their World Cup 2023 journey by facing their rivals, New Zealand, at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Root’s Ambitious Milestone
As the Jos Buttler-led England XI aims to kickstart the tournament with a victory, Joe Root has a personal milestone in sight: surpassing former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly’s impressive tally of 18,575 international runs.
Ganguly’s record-breaking 18,575 runs encompassed 11,363 runs in One Day Internationals (ODIs) and 7,212 runs in Test matches. In contrast, Root’s current total of 18,555 runs consists of 6,245 runs in ODIs, 893 runs in T20 Internationals (T20Is), and 11,416 runs in Test cricket.
Root’s Remarkable Journey
Currently standing at 18,555 international runs, Joe Root requires 445 runs to reach the milestone of 19,000 international runs and 254 runs to achieve 6,500 ODI runs.
An intriguing aspect of Root’s career is his performance in World Cup tournaments. He is the second-highest run-scorer for England in World Cup history, accumulating 758 runs across two editions, in 2015 and 2019.
In the 2015 World Cup, Root amassed 202 runs, and he further bolstered his World Cup tally by contributing 556 runs during the 2019 edition held in England.
Root’s ODI Dominance
Joe Root’s ODI records stand as a testament to his batting excellence. As the leading run-scorer for England in international cricket, Root’s remarkable achievements far surpass those of the second-ranked former England captain, Sir Alastair Cook, who has accumulated 15,737 runs.
Root has also exhibited his prowess on Indian pitches. In seven ODIs on Indian soil, he has notched up 295 runs, including three half-centuries. His ability to adapt and excel in subcontinental conditions makes him a valuable asset for England in the World Cup.
In the upcoming World Cup 2023, Joe Root’s experience, consistency, and the pursuit of personal milestones are expected to be vital factors in England’s bid to retain the prestigious trophy. As England faces New Zealand in their opening match, cricket enthusiasts eagerly anticipate Root’s contributions as he strives to etch his name in cricketing history.