New Delhi, July 25 -- Joe Root can touch legendary Sachin Tendulkar for most runs in Test cricket in less than next three years, claimed former England cricketer Michael Atherton after the right-hander climbed up the ladder, surpassing legends Ricky Ponting, Rahul Dravid and Jacques Kallis.

Root, who started on the fifth place, shot three spots up to be second in the list of batters for most runs in the longest format of the game, en route to his 38th Test hundred on the third day of the ongoing fourth Test against India at Old Trafford in Manchester.

Root currently has 13379 runs and counting, just second to Tendulkar, who tops the list at 15921 Test runs after 24 years of international cricket and 200 appearances for India in whites....