England's batting maestro, Joe Root, stands on the cusp of cricketing immortality, needing less than 2000 runs to surpass the legendary Sachin Tendulkar's all-time Test run record. Yet, a persistent question shadows his monumental achievement: does he truly belong in the pantheon of all-time greats? The debate intensifies not because of a lack of runs, but because of a specific pattern of failure against the very best bowlers of his era.
The Numbers That Tell a Troubling Story
Despite a magnificent 160 in the fifth Ashes Test in Sydney, a deeper statistical dive reveals a critical flaw. Against the premier pace attacks of Australia and India, Root's averages plummet. Australian captain Pat Cummins has dismissed him 13 times in Tests, with Root averaging a mere 22.6 against him. India's pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has claimed his wicket 11 times, with Root averaging 30.3. Fellow Australian Josh Hazlewood has also been a persistent thorn, removing him 10 times.
This vulnerability is further highlighted by the context of his recent Ashes centuries. Both his hundreds in the ongoing 2026 series came in the absence of both Cummins and Hazlewood. Prior to this series, he had never scored a Test century on Australian soil. While he is undoubtedly one of the finest batsmen of his generation and England's greatest, the gatekeepers of the 'Greatest of All Time' (GOAT) club demand dominance, not just volume.
Anatomy of a Technical Struggle
The concern isn't just the frequency of dismissals, but the manner of them. A clear technical pattern has been exploited repeatedly by these elite bowlers. Pat Cummins, in particular, has masterfully targeted Root around the off-stump corridor, using a combination of deliveries that straighten to take the edge or nip back to trap him lbw or hit the stumps.
This relentless attack disrupts Root's signature balance and footwork. Normally a batsman who uses the crease with elegance, Root often appears cramped and claustrophobic against Cummins. His head tends to fall over, which the Australian exploits with those deadly nip-backers. When Root adjusts by moving closer to off-stump to bat straighter, Cummins counters with away-shapers. This tight, suffocating line and length shuts down his escape routes, leaving him with nowhere to go.
Jasprit Bumrah has achieved similar success with his unique angle and release, creating an illusion of the ball tailing in before it shapes away, forcing Root into uncertain jabs outside off-stump. The mode of dismissal becomes repetitive, raising questions about his ability to solve a persistent, high-quality problem.
The Fab Four and the Greatness Benchmark
This scrutiny places Root's legacy within the famed 'Fab Four' of his generation. Virat Kohli overcame his well-documented struggles against James Anderson after the 2014 tour. Kane Williamson, while prolific, has a modest record in Australia. Among the quartet, only Steve Smith appears to stride confidently towards the uncontested 'all-time-great' label.
Greatness in Test cricket is often defined by performances under the sternest examination. While accumulating runs against lesser attacks is a hallmark of consistency, conquering the best defines a legend. Root's continuing troubles against Cummins, Bumrah, and Hazlewood, especially the familiar technical collapses they induce, act as a significant barrier.
At 35, fit, and with England's packed Test schedule, Joe Root is almost certain to become Test cricket's highest run-scorer. He is a modern giant and England's finest. However, until he finds a definitive answer to the probing questions asked by the era's best bowlers, the gates to the most exclusive club in the sport will remain only half-open. He is a lion of the game, but the GOAT tag remains just out of reach.
