IPL 2022: Joe Root ‘sacrifices’ IPL to focus on Test cricket

England skipper Joe Root has confirmed that he would be making himself unavailable for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022, confirming that he has not given his name for the IPL 2022 auction.

Root has made the decision in order to focus on improving the condition of Test cricket of his national side.

Root revealed last week that he was considering joining the mega auction, but that he would only do so if it did not interfere with his Test career.

 

“I didn’t (give the name for auction), no, I think that there’s a lot that we need to do for this team, which deserves all of my energy,” Root said at the post-match conference after his side’s 146-run loss to Australia in the fifth Test on Sunday.

 

“I’ll keep sacrificing as much as I can because I care so much about Test cricket in our country and trying to get us to where we want to be,” added the star batter, confirming he has turned down the chance to enter the IPL 2022 auction.

 

Joe Root, regarded as one of the modern-day greats, has never played in the Indian Premier League. In 2018, he was put up for auction but did not sell. The blockbuster auction for the IPL is set to take place next month. The 31-year old was expected to enter the IPL auction 2022 this year around, however, after a thrashing Ashes defeat, the flamboyant batter has decided to work towards reviving England’d Test cricket, adding that he has decided to continue as the Test captain.

England’s failed Ashes campaign could serve as an opportunity to prioritise Test cricket once more

Root’s leadership has been questioned following England’s poor Test record this year, but he has reiterated his intention to stay as England’s red-ball captain. After their collapse in Hobart on Sunday, which saw Australia win the Ashes 4-0, Joe Root suggested their failed Ashes campaign could serve as an opportunity to prioritise Test cricket once more. “It’s very difficult when you get beaten as heavily as we have done on this tour to convince people I’m the right man.

 

“But I can tell you one thing for sure – as long as I have the opportunity to captain this team, I will throw everything into it and give everything – for everyone supporting us, for the guys around me, for the players – to try and provide an environment that allows us to be successful,” Root said.

 

Starting this year, the IPL will have ten teams, and the mega-auction for the following season will take place in Bengaluru on February 12 and 13.