Extending his brilliant form in red-ball cricket, Shai Hope has scored his fourth Test hundred. The middle-order batter reached the milestone on Day 4 of the opening Test against New Zealand in Christchurch. He reached his century in just 139 balls and helped his team recover after early wickets in their second innings. This is also his second consecutive Test hundred of the year.

This sparkling century from Shai Hope has now moved him to the second spot on the list of most international runs in 2025. In this journey, he has even surpassed legends like Joe Root.

In this article, we will share the top five batters with the most runs in 2025 across all formats.

Also Read -Joe Root eyes to register this massive Ashes 2025/26 record in Australia

Top Five batters with the most international runs in 2025

1. Shubman Gill 

Shubman Gill leads the chart with 1,732 runs in 32 matches at an average of 52.48. The current Indian Test captain has played very well in both red-ball and white-ball cricket. He was in phenomenal form during the England vs India 2025 series, scoring 754 runs in 10 innings at an average of 75.40. He hit four centuries and a double hundred in that series. He also scored 430 runs in a single match—the second Test at Edgbaston in Birmingham.

In his 39 innings in 2025, Gill scored seven hundreds and three fifties.

2. Shai Hope 

The Caribbean middle-order batter moved up to the second spot after scoring a sparkling century in the ongoing NZ vs WI 1st Test. Along with a composed innings from Justin Greaves, he helped the West Indies stay in the game and keep their slim hopes alive of saving the first Test against New Zealand.

Shai Hope scored 1,677 runs in 2025 across all formats in 40 matches, with a strike rate of 87.29. He is also in good form in the NZ vs WI ODI series, scoring a century and achieving a major milestone by surpassing 6,000 ODI runs.

In the 2025 season, he scored five hundreds and nine fifties, with an average of 43.00.

3. Brian Bennett

Brian Bennett is ranked third on the chart. The Zimbabwe all-rounder became a dark horse, scoring 1,585 runs in 2025 with a strike rate of 109.31. He was in excellent form during the Pakistan vs Zimbabwe 2025 series and played some match-winning innings. He also scored 49 runs to help Zimbabwe win in Pakistan.

In the 2025 season, he scored three hundreds and eight fifties, with an average of 35.22.

Read More -Rohit Sharma breaks unbeliveable batting record in history of ODI cricket: Know about it

4. Agha Salman

The Pakistan T20I skipper has been a new sensation in T20I cricket. Although he had a bad run in the Asia Cup 2025, he is still firmly placed at the 4th spot in this ranking. The Pakistani all-rounder scored 1,569 runs in 2025 with an average of 32.68. He also scored a century in the recently concluded Pakistan vs Sri Lanka match and hit a half-century in that T20I series.

In his 58 innings in 2025, Agha scored two hundreds and nine fifties with a strike rate of 89.19.

5. Joe Root

The former England skipper is in sensational form in 2025. On the opening day of the ongoing second Ashes Test 2025–26, Joe Root ended his century drought in Australia and scored his first-ever Test hundred on Australian soil, making 138* off 206 balls. He also equalled England legend Ian Botham’s record at the Gabba.

In his 28 innings in 2025, Root scored 1,525 runs with an average of 61.00, the highest on this list. He also hit seven hundreds and five fifties, with a strike rate of 74.10.

The century of Joe Root in the ongoing 2nd Test of the Ashes 2025-26 caused some out-of-the-field hilarious moments because of a comment of Australian cricket legend Matthew Hayden. The former cricketer had jokingly promised that he would run nude in Melbourne if Root failed to score a hundred in the ongoing Ashes series. This is not going to happen, as the England batter smashed a century at The Gabba.

Now, Grace Hayden, daughter of Matthew Hayden, with a sense of humour, shared a hilarious story on her Instagram account. She thanked the almighty, as her father would not have to run naked around the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Grace thanked Joe Root for "saving all our eyes". "Root, thank you. You've saved all our eyes," she wrote in her Instagram story shortly after Root reached the milestone. The screenshot of the Instagram story quickly went viral across social media platforms, thanks to her huge fan following.

England was struggling earlier in the ongoing match, which is a pink ball test, because of early strikes from Mitchell Starc. Root stepped up on a big occasion and rescued his team from a possible batting collapse. The right-handed batter remained unbeaten for 138 off 206 with fifteen boundaries and one over boundary. With the help of Root's hundred-plus-run knock, England registered 334 runs in their first innings of the day-night Test.

Read More: Watch: Hardik Pandya hugged bowler after getting dismissed in SMAT 2025

Hilarious reply as Joe Root scored century in the 2nd Test of The Ashes

For Australia, Mitchell Starc took a total of 6 wickets in his 20-over spell in the first phase of the game. After the century of Root, Matthew Hayden took some moments to celebrate the occasion out of the commentary box.

A viral video, posted by Channel 7, showed Hayden broke into an enthusiastic dance outside the commentary box as soon as the England batter completed his century.

Let's cross LIVE to Matthew Hayden after Joe Root's century...

😂 #Ashes pic.twitter.com/4Wnnp5vsMN

— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 4, 2025

Joe Root scored a brilliant century yesterday in the second Ashes Test at the Gabba in Brisbane. The match is being played with the pink ball under lights. Root remained unbeaten on 135 runs, and England reached 325 for nine wickets at stumps after 74 overs. This was his 40th Test century and brought him closer to several world records held by Sachin Tendulkar.

After this knock, the debate has started again—can Joe Root break Sachin Tendulkar’s record for the most runs in Test cricket? At 34, Root finally scored his first Test century against Australia after 12 long years. With 160 Test matches already played, he has reached many big milestones in the format.

Root has also created a few Test records that Sachin Tendulkar could not achieve in his long and legendary career. Here are three such records that belong to Joe Root but not to Sachin.

Also Read -Watch: Hardik Pandya hugged bowler after getting dismissed in SMAT 2025

There were daft shots to endure. There was Mitchell Starc discomforting England’s top order and threatening to run through the tail.

And, through it all, there was the defiance and brilliance of Joe Root. That tiresome statistic about not having made a Test century in Australia… pic.twitter.com/k3wTLAGTP8

— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) December 4, 2025

3 Test Records Joe Root Achieved That Even Sachin Tendulkar Never Did

1. Fifty-plus scores in most consecutive Tests

Consistency is very important in Test cricket. Both Root and Tendulkar showed this throughout their careers. Sachin scored fifty-plus runs in 10 consecutive Tests from December 2009 to October 2010. But Joe Root went further and created a world record by scoring fifty-plus runs in 12 consecutive Tests. He achieved this from October 2016 to August 2017.

2. Hundred in both innings of a Test match

Sachin Tendulkar scored 51 Test hundreds but never made a century in both innings of the same match. Joe Root achieved this rare milestone in August 2024 at Lord’s against Sri Lanka, scoring 143 in the first innings and 103 in the second innings.

3. Most catches in Test cricket

Sachin Tendulkar ended his Test career with 115 catches in 200 matches. Joe Root has already gone far ahead with 213 catches, making him the player with the most catches in Test cricket history. This record does not seem likely to be broken anytime soon.

Coming into the Ashes 2025/26, the former England captain and star batter, Joe Root, had a massive monkey on his back with no century in Tests down under in the Ashes series. When he landed in Perth for the opening Test, he was dubbed ‘Average Joe’ by the Western Australia newspaper. Even though he didn’t let the emotions float, there was an internal pressure.

Joe Root walked into the middle with England losing two early wickets in the innings. They saw their opening batter, Ben Duckett, getting an outside edge into the hands of the slip fielder while their number three, Ollie Pope, ended up getting the short ball on to the stumps against Mitchell Starc.

See Also: Watch: Michael Neser dismisses Zak Crawley for 76 during 2nd D/N Test in Ashes 2025/26 in Brisbane

Root batted with pure authority despite not getting any support from the other end. The right-handed batter dashed a fine glance between the stumps for a boundary to celebrate his maiden century in Tests, which came in the day-night Pink-ball Tests at the Gabba during the Ashes 2025/26.

Watch: Joe Root’s parents react to Root’s maiden Test century in Australia during Ashes 2025/26

Root’s parents were present at the stadium when their son reached his century. His father, Matt Root, was visibly emotional and proud, sharing a heartfelt moment and speaking publicly about his son’s achievements. His mother was also crying. Their praying was incredible when Root was two short of the landmark.

A moment the Root family will never forget ❤️#Ashes pic.twitter.com/Ybo2tSdRJg

— England's Barmy Army 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🎺 (@TheBarmyArmy) December 4, 2025

Root remained unbeaten on 138 runs in 206 balls at a strike rate of 66.89 with the help of 15 boundaries and one six. It became the highest individual score by any batter against Australia in a day-night Test match, going past Asad Shafiq’s 136 in 2016. England finished with 334 runs on the board in the first innings, which is again the second-highest team score in a D/N Test against the Aussies.

Apart from Root, Zak Crawley nailed 76 runs in 93 balls with the help of 11 boundaries at a strike rate of 81.72, while Jofra Archer clubbed 38 runs in 36 balls at a strike rate of 105.56, shouldering on two boundaries and two sixes.

The former Australian opening batter, Matthew Hayden, ahead of the Ashes 2025/26, reckoned that he would run naked around the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) if Joe Root, the former England captain, didn’t end up scoring a century during the second Test at the Ashes 2025/26. Root finally got the monkey off his back.

At the Gabba, home of Hayden, Root remained unbeaten on 135 on day one of the ongoing contest as his century not only saved the visitors from a batting collapse but also made sure that Hayden didn’t fulfill one of the strangest vows ever taken.

See Also: Watch: Joe Root celebrates maiden 100 in Australia during Ashes 2025/26

“G’day Joe. Congratulations, mate, on a hundred here in Australia. Took you a while, and no one had more skin in the game than me, literally. I was backing you for a hundred in a good way. So mate, congratulations. Ten fifties and finally a hundred—you little ripper mate. Have a beauty and bloody enjoy it.” Hayden said to England cricket.

Watch: Matthew Hayden’s promise dodged as Joe Root scores maiden Test century in Australia

Root came to the crease early in the third over when Mitchell Starc sent back both the opening batter, Ben Duckett, and the number three batter, Ollie Pope. The southpaw got an outside edge to the hands of the slip fielder while Pope was bounced out as the ball hit the stumps. And that’s where Root got his chance.

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Negotiating a fierce Starc bowling early in his innings, Root stitched a 117-run stand for the second wicket with Zak Crawley that brought England back in the contest. Root didn’t get much support from the other end as England kept losing wickets under the light to bring the hosts back into the encounter.

Root, however, made sure that he would play the anchor’s role and built two more big partnerships- adding 54 runs with captain Ben Stokes and an undefeated 61 runs with Jofra Archer. Root’s innings so far include 15 boundaries and a six. England would hope Root to cross the 150-run mark and take the team over the 350 score by the end of their first innings.

Heading into the Ashes 2025/26, there was a massive monkey on the back of Joe Root, who had yet to celebrate a Test century against Australia down under. In the opening Test of the Optus Stadium, he went for two flashing drives for boundaries and got dismissed against the left-arm pace of Mitchell Starc. 

The stage in the second Test against Australia at the Gabba in Brisbane was different. He walked early in the middle after the visitors lost two key wickets of their opener, Ben Duckett, and the number three batter, Ollie Pope. But Joe Root was the key batter to hold the innings for the Ben Stokes-led side.

See Also: Watch: Michael Neser dismisses Zak Crawley for 76 during 2nd D/N Test in Ashes 2025/26 in Brisbane

By the time he reached 98, there was a loud noise at the Gabba. At the start of the over against Scott Boland, the Yorkshire batter looked a bit out of touch before he drilled the ball into the leg side for a boundary to get his maiden Test century in the Ashes history down under. The monkey is off his back now.

Watch: Joe Root celebrates maiden century in Tests down under in Ashes 2025/26

Heading into the series, the former Australian opening batter, Matthew Hayden, made a hilarious comment that if Root doesn’t score a Test century, then he would run naked around the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Now, he won’t need to do that, given that Root has broken the ice.

HE'S FINALLY DONE IT!

Joe Root has his first #Ashes century in Australia.

Live blog: https://t.co/2htO3lMX8d pic.twitter.com/9uZ26zQnPp

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 4, 2025

England, after losing their opener and the number three batter, got a fine 100-run partnership for the second wicket with Zak Crawley, who mashed a fine knock of 76 runs. Root kept batting from one end. But the England batters couldn’t contribute much from the other end as they found themselves nine down for 264 runs from a situation where they were looking good to go beyond the 350-run mark.

For Australia, Mitchell Starc, the left-arm pacer, who has been the king of the Pink-ball Test with 81 wickets in 27 innings heading into the contest, picked up six wickets. Michael Neser and Scott Boland also chipped in with one wicket each.

The former left-handed opening batter of the Australian side, Matthew Hayden, in a hilarious interaction with Sky Sports Cricket, has expressed his concern about Joe Root scoring a century by the end of the Ashes 2025/26. But the former England captain had a poor outing during the opening game at the Optus Stadium in Perth.

In that game, Root was dismissed for zero as he got an outside edge into the hands of the slip region against Mitchell Starc before getting the ball on to the stumps in the second innings. But the England batter would still have eight more innings to get the monkey off his back in what could turn out to be his last Australia trip.

See Also: Is Imran Khan alive? Former World Cup-winning Pakistan captain’s sister reveals truth

“I’m concerned for multiple reasons. The last thing I want to do at 54 is spend the rest of my life in jail. But I tell you. And on a serious note, I probably didn’t see a lot of convincing evidence from Joe Root. You know, I know that he loves to own that fifth and sixth stump channel and Australia will.” Hayden expressed on Sky Sports Cricket.

Watch: Matthew Hayden concerned about his prediction of Joe Root's century in Ashes 2025/26

Hayden claimed that Root didn’t look good with his technique in the last fixture, and the pressure would only increase from hereon, going deep into the series. Root wasn’t happy either with what he did with the bat in that Western Test.

Is Matthew Hayden concerned he might have to run naked across the MCG if Joe Root gets a century?! 😅🏃 pic.twitter.com/xbnl7KALGV

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) December 2, 2025

“They won’t need to go anywhere else other than that, after what I saw. And you know those little dabs, and you know the gather will be no different as well, especially under lights and pink ball. So it’s going to be a big challenge for Joe Root, and it’s even a bigger challenge for me.” Hayden shed light in that video.

“It’s pretty disappointing in terms of the numbers. First innings, I thought it was a good ball. It’s one of those things you can get early on. You’ve got to try and find a way to get through that phase when it’s tricky at the start. And then in the second innings, I thought my tempo was really good, made one mistake.” Joe Root claimed.

Joe Root is the second leading run-getter in the longest format of world cricket. The former captain of the England side has collected 13543 runs in 288 innings at an average of 51.29 and a strike rate of 57.49 with the help of 39 centuries and 66 half-centuries at the best score of 262 runs. 

Against Australia, the right-handed batter has clubbed 2428 runs in 65 innings at an average of 40.46 and a strike rate of 50, with the help of four centuries and 18 fifties at the best score of 18. He has recorded only 892 runs in 27 innings down under at 35.68 with nine fifties. But is it the best batter for England?

See Also: List of fastest players to score 1000 runs ft. Abhishek Sharma

“He certainly looks to have a hunger for scoring runs. He just looks calm, even in this phase of his career. He plays the ball really close to his bat. And it’s almost like when the captaincy pressure was released from his shoulder, it just seemed to relieve him in every single aspect of his life and convert it to a different mindset. To do this stuff and jump on the board at this stage is excellent.” Australia’s former wicket-keeper, Adam Gilchrist, expressed on Fox Cricket.

Watch: Adam Gilchrist reflects on Joe Root’s skills to be England’s best batter of all-time

Gilchrist reckoned that Root has been excellent in the Bazball era, while the former batter, Mark Waugh, questioned if Root could tackle the bouncer in this series, as the short ball issue keeps creating pressure on the batter.

'IS HE THE BEST ENGLISH BAT OF ALL TIME?' 🤔

He's never made a Test century on Australian soil, but does Joe Root have claims to be the Poms' greatest ever batter?

📺 Watch #AUSvIND on ch. 501 or stream via @kayosports: https://t.co/sOOmnqoiEr
✍️BLOG https://t.co/P5kdnBuxXh pic.twitter.com/unjXR9xxET

— Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) November 8, 2025

“I think Root is the fastest in the Bazball era and always adapts the quickest. He can get a bit creative, but I think he would be the most important member of this whole tour to make sure that they would have enough foundation for the guys like Harry Brook to bat around and build the innings.” Gilchrist added.

“What he has done is to get a great tempo to his batting. He scores quicker even with that. He would get to a fifty in almost no time. The only thing I guess worries him is the bouncer here on the off-stump line, because he does play with a 40-45 degree angled bat. A bit like Ollie Pope, they have the chink in the armor.” Mark Waugh shed light.

The T20I series between New Zealand and England has come to an end. It is now time for both teams to clash in the 3-match ODI series. The first ODI between NZ and ENG is scheduled to take place on Sunday at Bay Oval Stadium.

In the past, New Zealand has faced England 96 times, and surprisingly, both teams have won 45 ODIs each. These stats showcase a rivalry between the two teams. New Zealand has won twice and England has won 3 matches in the past 5 ODI matches between the two teams

Also Read: AUS-W vs SA-W Dream11 Prediction Match 26 Playing XI: ICC Women's World Cup, 2025 Fantasy Cricket Tips, Team, and Pitch Report

NZ vs ENG Match Details

• Match: New Zealand vs England, 1st ODI

• Date: 26th October 2025

• Time: 6.30 AM IST

• Venue: Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui 

• Live Streaming: FanCode

NZ vs ENG Weather Report

NZ vs ENG Pitch Report

The surface here will be good for batting with very short boundaries on either side. We can expect a high-scoring fixture, and both teams will prefer chasing.

Top Batters to Watch – NZ vs ENG

• Harry Brook (ENG): 98 runs in this Series 

• Sam Curran (ENG): 57 runs in this Series 

• Jacob Bethell (ENG): 39 runs in this Series 

Top Bowlers to Watch – NZ vs ENG

• Adil Rashid (ENG): 4 wickets in this Series 

• Kyle Jamieson (NZ): 3 wickets in this Series 

• Jacob Duffy (NZ): 2 wickets in this Series 

NZ vs ENG Recent Form

NZ vs ENG Today Match Prediction Scenarios

Scenario 1: If NZ Bat First

• Powerplay Score: 50–60

• Predicted Total: 240–255

• Match Result: ENG to win

Scenario 2: If ENG Bat First

• Powerplay Score: 60–70

• Predicted Total: 270–290

• Match Result: ENG to win

Who Will Hit the Most Sixes?

Who Will Hit the Most Fours?

NZ vs ENG Predicted Playing XIs

England 

Harry Brook (c), Ben Duckett, Jamie Smith, Joe Root, Jos Buttler (wk), Jamie Overton, Brydon Carse, Sam Curran, Adil Rashid, Liam Dawson, Luke Wood.

New Zealand 

Mitchell Santner (c), Will Young, Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (wk), Michael Bracewell, Nathan Smith, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy.

NZ vs ENG Today Match Prediction – Who Will Win Today?

We predict that England will win the 1st ODI match. The likes of Joe Root, Jos Buttler and Sam Curran will be key players to watch out for.

NZ vs ENG Match FAQs

Q1. Where can I watch the NZ vs ENG live match?

You can watch the live streaming on the FanCode app and website.

Q2. Who will win today’s NZ vs ENG ODI match?

According to our today match prediction, England are favourites to win this encounter.

Q3. What is the head-to-head record between New Zealand and England in ODIs?

England holds the upper hand in last five ODI head-to-head meetings against New Zealand 

The former Australian opening batter, Matthew Hayden, has made a hilarious prediction on the former England batter, Joe Root, ahead of the Ashes 2025/26 against Australia down under. The opening game of the series will take place at the Optus Stadium in Perth on November 21, as the right-handed batter will be under pressure, having not celebrated a century down under.

Joe Root is currently the second leading run-getter in the longest format with 13543 runs in 288 innings at an average of 51.29 and a strike rate of 57.49, with the help of 66 half-centuries and 39 centuries at the best score of 262 runs. However, in Australia, he has drilled only 892 runs in 14 games at an average of 35.68 with nine fifties.

See Also: [WATCH] India stars share experience of 2011 World Cup winning moment ahead of India vs Pakistan clash

“I will walk nude around the MCG if he doesn’t make a hundred his summer.” Hayden reckoned during a recent interaction on the ‘All over Bar The Cricket’ YouTube channel, as his daughter and presenter, Grace Hayden, requested the Yorkshire batter to notch up a red-ball century.

Matthew Hayden makes hilarious prediction on Joe Root ahead of Ashes 2025/26

In his overall record against Australia, Root has clubbed 2428 runs in the 34 red-ball encounters at an average of 40.46, scoring four centuries and 17 half-centuries. Apart from that, he has recorded over 3300 runs in 64 innings against India in Tests at an average of nearly 60 and a strike rate of 55, thanks to 13 centuries and 12 half-centuries.

Root has found the bowling of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood challenging. But Cummins is currently recovering from a back injury, and he could get ruled out for the first three encounters of the series. This could be a good chance for the batter, who was in excellent touch during the home red-ball series against India.

For him and a few veterans, it could be the last Ashes trip. England haven’t won a single Test, let alone a series, against Australia down under since earning the urn in 2010/11 under Andrew Strauss’ captaincy. It will be high time for them to turn the tables, and Root will be their key man with the bat.