India, July 25 -- Former India head coach Ravi Shastri made an audacious claim on air after a "cursed" stat emerged, highlighting Joe Root's chances of challenging Sachin Tendulkar's Test legacy. The remark came during Root's knock on Day 2 of the ongoing fourth Test between India and England in Manchester.

Root remained unbeaten on 11 at stumps on Day 2 at Old Trafford, taking his career tally to 13,270 runs in 157 Tests. He currently stands fifth on the all-time list, just 19 runs short of Rahul Dravid (13,288), 20 away from Jacques Kallis (13,289), and 109 behind Ricky Ponting (13,378).

While on commentary, Shastri pointed out that Root could rise to second place on the all-time list within two to three Tests. Despite the 2,651-run g...