JOE ROOT has had plenty on his mind these past few weeks and insists he is not thinking about the Indian Premier League.
But it looks increasingly likely that Root will put forward his name for the IPL auction later this month.
England’s captain has never played in the world’s richest tournament but is now ready to cash in on his profile and talent.
It means that, contrary to expectations, he is likely to be chosen for the tri-nation Twenty20 event that fills a three-week gap between the tours of Australia and New Zealand.
The Aussies and Kiwis are the two other nations involved with the final in Auckland on February 20.
Root was expected to rest and re-charge during the tri-series but now he will be getting some T20 practice. His selection will show IPL franchises that he is serious about the shortest form of the game.
As an international captain with a clean image and one of the world’s best batsmen, Root is likely to attract some big bids at the auction in Bengaluru on January 28 and 29.
He might not receive as much as the £1.7million jackpot that Ben Stokes raked in last year but enough to keep him in Yorkshire puddings and tea for a while.
Root is a very good T20 batsman. He might not have the monster-hitting power of someone such as Jos Buttler, but can score quickly with timing, placement, innovation and ball-striking.
latest cricket news
Moeen Ali is likely to be excluded from England’s squad when it is announced late on Sunday evening UK time but Jonny Bairstow is expected to be named as his heavy schedule this winter continues.
Stokes’ name will, once more, appear on the list just in case his criminal process has been completed in time and he has been cleared by the ECB.
But in reality he is unlikely to take part.
Leave a comment