‘I would certainly…’ – Star England batter in ‘serious’ consideration of entering Indian T20 League mini-auction

With the Indian T20 League mini-auction just weeks away, franchises are setting the tone to rope in youngsters and find the right balance between the future and experience of the veterans. While the likes of Ben Stokes, Joe Root and Cameron Green are expected to bag the highest bids in the mini-auction, a cluster of classy players are hoping to get an opportunity, to prove their prowess in the competitive tournament. 

While players like Ajinkya Rahane, KS Bharat, and Kane Williamson have been released ahead of the auction, players from England, who are known for their cricketing shots, in contrary to aggressive players, are planning to give it a shot in the upcoming auction, set to take place on December 23, in Kochi. 

As things stand, England’s best Test batter, Joe Root, revealed that he might as well try his luck for the upcoming edition of the Indian T20 League by entering the auction pool. Saying that he wanted to well in the shortest format of the game, Root added that is considering participating in the league. 

I feel like I got alienated from T20I format: Joe Root

Further, the England batter said that he has no thoughts of retiring from either of the formats or playing fewer formats, hinting at a possible comeback in the shortest format of the game in the international arena and in the Indian T20 League as well. 

“I would certainly debate going into the Indian T20 League draw quite seriously and hope to get exposure in that tournament. It would be great to get involved in the continuous enormity of each game and how much it means,” Root was quoted as saying by dailymail.co.uk. 

“I have no thoughts or feelings of retirement or slowing down or playing fewer formats. If anything, I feel a little bit more freedom with my time. 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. 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,” said the Three Lions batter further. 

“That is especially valid because of how we are trying to play now as a Test team. Looking at the game through a T20 lens, will that benefit my Test cricket? With a 50-over World Cup next year, there are areas of my game that can benefit from playing more short-form cricket. When am I going to play some white-ball cricket if I don’t go out and search it out domestically?” he added.