DUBAI: With an eye on ODI World Cup in India this year, the former England Test skipper Joe Root hopes to further hone his 50+ skills by playing in domestic T20 leagues such as the ILT20 in the UAE.
While Root has played over 150 ODIs, scoring 6,207 runs at an average of 50.05, he still believes leagues like the ILT20, starting in Dubai on January 13, will give him the versatility needed as the England aim to retain the World Cup 50-over. .
“I now have a lot of experience in cricket over 50. I have a good understanding of how to play in ODIs.
“I really want to develop my white ball game more and if there is anything I can add to my 50+ game it will come by playing more T20 cricket and putting myself in situations that I don’t. haven’t found myself frequently over the course of my career thus far,” said Root, who will play for Capitals of Dubai in ILT20.
While Root was one of England’s most reliable hitters in Tests and ODIs, scoring plenty of runs, he only played 32 T20Is, scoring 893 runs.
The 32-year-old was not sold at his first-ever IPL auction (base price Rs 1 crore) this year in Kochi, even as a compatriot Sam Curran went for a record sum of Rs 18.25 crore and the current test skipper Ben Stokes earned Rs 16.25 crore.
Indicating that he is good at mastering the shorter format given that all the money is now in the domestic leagues, Root hoped he could score big in ILT20 and then advance his career to T20.
“It’s really exciting for me. I haven’t played much T20 cricket in the last couple of years but my experience as a cricketer will stand me in good stead,” said Root, who was not part of of the team’s T20 World. Cup raced in 2021 and 2022, although he was part of the team that won the ODI World Cup at Lord’s in 2019.
“Hopefully I can go out there and get some big scores to help our team win games.”
Root also said that Sachin Tendulkar was his icon and a “star” to him when he was growing up.
“I mean, obviously there are wonderful players playing now, but look at what Sachin (Tendulkar) has achieved; it’s really remarkable, the longevity, the ability to be such a successful player at such a young age and then being able to sustain and continue to grow and move forward in the game,” Root told Zee.
“There were times when he carried the weight of the pressure on his shoulders, and he did that for over 20 years. He debuted before I was born and played in my debut, and that shows just how and what it was intended for.Indian cricket for so long.
“Really brilliant at the game, someone you know, along with many others. I was a kid and admired the way he played, how easy it was, and not only did he contribute to cricket Indian but also world cricket. So yeah, definitely a star for me as a kid growing up.”
While Root has played over 150 ODIs, scoring 6,207 runs at an average of 50.05, he still believes leagues like the ILT20, starting in Dubai on January 13, will give him the versatility needed as the England aim to retain the World Cup 50-over. .
“I now have a lot of experience in cricket over 50. I have a good understanding of how to play in ODIs.
“I really want to develop my white ball game more and if there is anything I can add to my 50+ game it will come by playing more T20 cricket and putting myself in situations that I don’t. haven’t found myself frequently over the course of my career thus far,” said Root, who will play for Capitals of Dubai in ILT20.
While Root was one of England’s most reliable hitters in Tests and ODIs, scoring plenty of runs, he only played 32 T20Is, scoring 893 runs.
The 32-year-old was not sold at his first-ever IPL auction (base price Rs 1 crore) this year in Kochi, even as a compatriot Sam Curran went for a record sum of Rs 18.25 crore and the current test skipper Ben Stokes earned Rs 16.25 crore.
Indicating that he is good at mastering the shorter format given that all the money is now in the domestic leagues, Root hoped he could score big in ILT20 and then advance his career to T20.
“It’s really exciting for me. I haven’t played much T20 cricket in the last couple of years but my experience as a cricketer will stand me in good stead,” said Root, who was not part of of the team’s T20 World. Cup raced in 2021 and 2022, although he was part of the team that won the ODI World Cup at Lord’s in 2019.
“Hopefully I can go out there and get some big scores to help our team win games.”
Root also said that Sachin Tendulkar was his icon and a “star” to him when he was growing up.
“I mean, obviously there are wonderful players playing now, but look at what Sachin (Tendulkar) has achieved; it’s really remarkable, the longevity, the ability to be such a successful player at such a young age and then being able to sustain and continue to grow and move forward in the game,” Root told Zee.
“There were times when he carried the weight of the pressure on his shoulders, and he did that for over 20 years. He debuted before I was born and played in my debut, and that shows just how and what it was intended for.Indian cricket for so long.
“Really brilliant at the game, someone you know, along with many others. I was a kid and admired the way he played, how easy it was, and not only did he contribute to cricket Indian but also world cricket. So yeah, definitely a star for me as a kid growing up.”
