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The making of Joe Root: From watching Sachin Tendulkar’s India as a teenager at Headingley to quitting Nottingham Forest’s academy – how Yorkshire’s favourite son became the ‘grandfather’ of the England team

SIDDHARTH THAKUR: Joe Root's second tenure as England Test captain began in the most fitting surroundings at Headingley last month - the home of Yorkshire's favourite son.

Daily Mail

Published: Thursday, 24 September 2026 at 10:52 AM

Key Things to Know

Joe Root became the first Englishman to reach 23,000 international runs during an ODI against Sri Lanka at Durham.
Root surpassed Sachin Tendulkar by reaching 23,000 international runs in 521 innings compared to Tendulkar's 522.
Root began his second stint as England Test captain against Pakistan at Headingley, scoring 66 runs.

The Story in 60 Seconds

Joe Root returned to England's Test captaincy at Headingley, scoring 66 runs against Pakistan in his 66th Test leading the team. The innings saw him match Sachin Tendulkar's mark of 68 half-centuries, which he later surpassed during the third Test of the series. England turned back to Root to address a leadership crisis, off-field scandals, and team underperformance.

Root subsequently became the first English cricketer to reach 23,000 international runs, achieving the milestone in 521 innings against Sri Lanka at Durham. Reflecting on his career ahead of an ODI in Leeds, Root credited early experiences watching Tendulkar at Headingley in 2002 and mentoring from former Yorkshire batting coach Kevin Sharp between ages 12 and 21.

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