LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: England captain Joe Root speaks with coach Graham Thorpe during a nets session at Lord's Cricket Ground on August 11, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
Joe Root has confirmed his entry into the upcoming IPL auction in December.
Root's busy schedule especially with England's Test captaincy on his plate, has restricted his T20 game time. Root has played 32 total T20I matches with the last coming in 2019.
Root's last IPL auction venture was in 2018 where he went unsold. With more free time in his calendar this could be the perfect time for Root to apply and evolve his craft in different conditions.
“I would certainly debate going into the IPL draw quite seriously and hope to get exposure in that tournament.” Root said to the Daily Mail.
“It would be great to get involved in the continuous enormity of each game and how much it means.”
His lengthy spell out of the format has made him feel “alienated” in a T20 setting, feeling his free time sets him up well for a return.
“If anything I feel a little bit more freedom with my time," he said.
“I always used to get rested for the T20s and I feel like I got alienated from the format because I had not played enough of it.”
Root has a 35.72 average scoring at a strike rate of 126.3, with 893 total runs scored in T20I games. The subcontinent Indian wickets will also potentially favour Roots occasional spin bowling.
His overall bowling record is 6 for 139 off 14 overs with an average of 23.16.
“You can feel like you are getting left behind a little bit. Now, the next couple of years, might be a good time to explore playing a little bit more of that format and see how far I can take that side of my game,” Root said.