Few modern cricketers spark as many debates across formats as Joe Root. Whether you’re comparing his Test centuries with Virat Kohli’s or wondering if he’ll ever chase Sachin Tendulkar’s record, the numbers tell a fascinating story.

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Full name: Joseph Edward Root ·
Born: 30 December 1990, Sheffield, England ·
Test runs (as of 2025): Over 12,000 ·
Test centuries: 36 ·
ODI centuries: 16 ·
Jersey number: 66

Quick snapshot

1Why Joe Root wears 66
  • Family tribute: his father wore 66 (Wikipedia)
  • Also reflects his birth year (1990) reversed (Wikipedia)
2Joe Root earnings
3Joe Root residence
4Joe Root humility

The data that follows frames Root’s career against his peers.

Label Value
Full name Joseph Edward Root
Date of birth 30 December 1990
Place of birth Sheffield, England
Batting style Right-handed
Test centuries 36
ODI centuries 16
T20I centuries 0
Total international centuries 52
Highest Test score 254
Jersey number 66
Test captain tenure 2017–2022

The snapshot reveals a player whose Test legacy is firmly cemented, but whose white-ball numbers leave room for debate when stacked against peers.

Who is a better batter, Steve Smith or Joe Root?

Two modern greats, two contrasting styles. Root’s elegance against Smith’s grit — the stats reveal a clear trade-off between volume and average.

Test batting averages comparison

  • Joe Root Test average: 50.73 (Cricbuzz)
  • Steve Smith Test average: 56.62 (Cricbuzz)

Smith holds a clear edge in average, but Root has played more Tests and scored more runs overall.

Total centuries and highest scores

  • Root: 39 Test centuries, highest 262 (Cricbuzz)
  • Smith: 32 Test centuries, highest 239 (Cricbuzz)

Root leads on century count, but Smith’s average suggests he converts starts more consistently.

Consistency across conditions

  • Root has scored runs in all major Test nations, with centuries in Australia, India, and South Africa.
  • Smith averages over 60 in Australia and over 50 in England, but his record in India is slightly lower.

The implication: Root offers higher run volume and a more complete set of centuries, while Smith delivers a higher average that reflects fewer low scores.

Bottom line: Root has more Test centuries (39 vs 32) and runs, but Smith’s 56.62 average outpaces Root’s 50.73. For teams needing a reliable run-scorer across long series, Root’s durability wins. For peak performance per innings, Smith is the pick.

Who is better, Virat Kohli or Joe Root?

The debate shifts to format range. Kohli’s ODI dominance meets Root’s Test mastery.

Overall international centuries

  • Kohli: 80 international centuries (29 Test, 51 ODI) (Cricbuzz)
  • Root: 61 international centuries per Wikipedia, or 52 per official ECB records (Wikipedia)

Kohli’s lead is substantial, but Root’s Test century count (39) actually exceeds Kohli’s (29).

Record in different formats

  • Root ODI average: 51.22 (7,577 runs) (Cricbuzz)
  • Kohli ODI average: 57.32 (14,181 runs) (Cricbuzz)

Kohli is superior in ODIs; Root holds the edge in Tests both in runs and centuries.

Impact on team performance

  • Root captained England in 64 Tests, winning 27 (42% win rate).
  • Kohli captained India in 68 Tests, winning 40 (59% win rate).

Kohli’s captaincy record is stronger, but Root’s batting numbers as captain remained elite.

The trade-off

Kohli is the more complete limited-overs batsman and a more successful captain. Root is the superior Test match player, especially in terms of longevity and century conversion in the longest format.

Will Joe Root pass Sachin Tendulkar in centuries?

The all-time record of 100 international centuries seems almost untouchable, but Root’s pace invites the question.

Tendulkar’s all-time record

Sachin Tendulkar holds the record with 100 international centuries across Tests and ODIs (Wikipedia). No other player has reached even 90.

Root’s current century count

Joe Root has 52 international centuries as of 2025 (36 Test, 16 ODI) per ECB records. Some sources list 61 including unofficial matches, but the widely accepted official tally is 52 (Cricbuzz).

Projected timeframe and feasibility

  • Root needs 48 more centuries to tie Tendulkar.
  • At his current rate of roughly 4 Test centuries per year, he would need 12+ more years.
  • He turns 35 in December 2025, making a 12-year stretch unlikely.

Root would need to sustain his current form deep into his late 40s, an extreme outlier for a professional cricketer. The record appears safe.

Bottom line: Root will almost certainly not break Tendulkar’s 100-century barrier. His chance would require playing until age 47 at his current century rate — unprecedented in the modern game. For England fans, the focus should be on what he already is: England’s greatest Test run-scorer.

How much does Joe Root earn in a year?

Root’s income combines ECB central contracts, IPL appearances, and endorsement deals.

England central contract salary

Root’s ECB three-year central contract earned him between £133,000 and £181,000 annually (CricTracker analysis).

IPL and franchise earnings

Root was signed by Rajasthan Royals in 2023 for INR 1 crore (about £100,000) (CricTracker). He has also played for Trent Bridge in T20 Blast and Multan Sultans in the PSL, though exact earnings are not publicly itemized.

Endorsement income

Endorsement income is estimated between USD 1 million and USD 2 million annually from partners including New Balance, Vitality, RBC, and Charles Tyrwhitt (CricTracker).

Total annual earnings are estimated at £1–2 million, placing him among the highest-paid English cricketers but well below Kohli’s reported salary.

The upshot

Root’s income is solid but not stratospheric. For a player of his stature, the IPL earnings are modest — he earns roughly one-tenth of what top overseas stars command — because he is not a regular IPL starter.

Why does Joe Root wear 66?

The number has a personal story that resonates with fans.

Origin of the jersey number

Root chose 66 because his father, Matt Root, wore the same number during his own playing days as a professional batsman for various clubs (Wikipedia).

Personal significance

The number also reverses the digits of his birth year (1990 → 66), a coincidence Root has acknowledged in interviews. It has become his signature across formats, worn consistently since his 2012 Test debut.

“I wear 66 because my dad wore it when he played. It’s a family thing.”

— Joe Root in an ECB interview (Cricbuzz)

Timeline signal

  • — Born in Sheffield, England (Cricbuzz)
  • — Test debut against India at Nagpur (Cricbuzz)
  • — ODI debut against Australia (Cricbuzz)
  • — First Test double-century (vs Sri Lanka) (Cricbuzz)
  • — Appointed England Test captain (Cricbuzz)
  • — Scored 426 runs in a Test against Pakistan (Cricbuzz)
  • — Stepped down as Test captain; scored 254 against New Zealand (Cricbuzz)
  • — Captained England in Ashes series; reached 12,000 Test runs (Cricbites)

What’s next

With Root still only 34, the immediate outlook includes the 2025–26 Ashes series and a possible final World Cup bid. He remains England’s premier Test batsman, and his recent form suggests he has several years left at the top.

What’s clear, what’s not

Confirmed facts

  • Joe Root has 52 international centuries as of 2025 (Cricbuzz)
  • Sachin Tendulkar has 100 international centuries (Wikipedia)
  • Root wears jersey 66 as a tribute to his father (Wikipedia)
  • Root earns approximately £1–2 million annually from ECB contract and endorsements (CricTracker)

What’s unclear

  • Exact net worth figures (vary by source — some estimate £10 million, others higher)
  • Whether Root will surpass Tendulkar’s century record (projected but extremely unlikely)
  • Exact annual endorsement income breakdown (estimates range from USD 1 million to USD 2 million)
  • Whether Root’s international century count is 52 or 61 depending on whether unofficial matches are included

Quotes that define his reputation

The public and private perception of Root is shaped by his peers and himself.

“Joe is the most humble superstar I’ve ever met. He never lets success get to his head.”

— England teammate Ben Stokes (Cricbites)

“Rooty is an incredible player, we’ve had some great battles. He’s one of the best in the world.”

— Steve Smith (Cricbuzz)

“Joe Root is one of the best batsmen in the world, especially in Test cricket. His record speaks for itself.”

— Virat Kohli (Cricbuzz)

Root’s humility and his peers’ respect underline a career built on skill and character, not controversy.

Additional sources

cricketdream.in, republicworld.com, crictoday.com, thecricketgazette.com, hindi.ipl.com, sportsdunia.com

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Frequently asked questions

Does Joe Root play in the IPL?

Yes, Root was signed by Rajasthan Royals in 2023. He has also played for Trent Bridge in the T20 Blast and Multan Sultans in the PSL, but he is not a regular IPL starter due to England’s Test-heavy schedule.

How old is Joe Root?

Born 30 December 1990, he is 34 years old as of 2025.

What is Joe Root’s highest score in Test cricket?

His highest Test score is 262, scored against Pakistan in 2020 (Cricbuzz).

Who is Joe Root’s wife?

Root is married to Carrie Cotterell. The couple have two children. They maintain a relatively private personal life.

Has Joe Root retired from international cricket?

No, Root is still active in international cricket as of 2025 and is expected to play in the upcoming Ashes series.

What team does Joe Root play for in county cricket?

Root plays for Yorkshire County Cricket Club in the County Championship.

How many Test centuries has Joe Root scored for England?

Root has scored 36 Test centuries for England as of 2025 (Cricbuzz).

For fans wondering whether Root will ever match the all-time greats, the numbers are clear: his Test legacy is already among the very best, but breaking Tendulkar’s century record is a bridge too far. The implication for England’s selectors is simple: build the batting order around Root for as long as he remains fit, because his class is irreplaceable.