Joe Root : IPL can help me develop my T20 game

Joe Root is among the 282 overseas players who will take part in this year’s IPL auction and will hope to crack a deal with one of the teams. Root claimed that he has taken this decision to prepare for the upcoming 2020 World T20. The English captain who played just 4 T20Is last year is hoping to get a few more games under his name before the big tournament comes around. 

“I get that. The schedule is full on if you play in all three formats. I've always said I put playing for England first and if it means resting from things like the IPL, which I've done in the past, I'll happily do that. For however long my international career last it's going to be focused about as giving as much as I can for this team and playing for England,” The Telegraph reported Root saying.

“One thing I've been very aware of for the past two years is the lack of T20 cricket. When that World Cup does come around in a couple of years' time, this is probably the best window of opportunity for me to develop that white-ball side of my game. You've seen how quickly one-day cricket has moved forward in the last three or four years. As someone involved in the Test side I don't want to be missing white ball cricket and falling behind, trying to catch up. I want to make sure I'm keeping my place and setting the standards for this team, leading the way."

The IPL has not only provided the Indian players with a career in T20s but has also developed a lot of overseas players like Rashid Khan, Andrew Tye, Mustafizur Rahman, and many more. Seeing this as a perfect opportunity to improve his game Root expressed his desires of participating in IPL. 

“I think the IPL is a great opportunity. It may be that I don't have a great IPL but the best thing would be the exposure to different players and different ways of looking at the game, being under pressure for long periods of time. I can't see how that could hamper my game or be detrimental to my England career. I spent a good four or five months making that decision, that's where my head is at. Hopefully, we'll see the benefits in a couple of years' time.”

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