In a surprising turn of events, England’s prolific batter Joe Root has decided to opt out of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, just a day before the retention deadline. Root, who made his IPL debut with the Rajasthan Royals earlier this year, has cited the need for a break to manage his workload and recharge ahead of future commitments. This development comes on the heels of another English stalwart, Ben Stokes, also withdrawing from the IPL 2024 to prioritize workload and fitness.
Joe Root, part of the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL 2023, made a significant impact during his short tenure with the franchise. Despite limited opportunities on the field, Root’s experience and positive influence were widely acknowledged by the team. Kumar Sangakkara, the director of cricket for the Royals, expressed his understanding and respect for Root’s decision, acknowledging the batter’s contribution to the team.
“Even in a short span of time, Joe was able to create such a positive impact on the franchise and the players around him. His energy around the group and the experience he brought to the Royals will be missed. We respect his decision totally and wish him success in everything he does,” said Sangakkara in a statement.
Root, bought by the Royals in the IPL 2023 auction for his base price of INR 1 crore, played three games for the team. While he batted in just one match, scoring 10 against Royal Challengers Bangalore, his off-field contributions were lauded. Root embraced the role of a mentor, acting as a “sponge” to absorb information and support the young talents within the Royals squad.
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Rob Key, England’s managing director of men’s cricket, shed light on Root’s decision, emphasizing the batter’s need for a break after a packed schedule that included tours, T20 leagues, and international competitions. Key mentioned that Root had been on the go since the New Zealand tour, through the Hundred, Ashes, and more, necessitating a period of rest to ensure peak performance.
“He’s not stopped since probably New Zealand or what he did in Pakistan, the ILT20, New Zealand, the Hundred, Ashes and so on,” Key commented.
With Joe Root opting out of IPL 2024, he becomes the second prominent English player, after Ben Stokes, to withdraw from the upcoming season. Stokes had earlier cited a similar rationale, focusing on managing workload and fitness. The decision to withdraw just before the retention deadline has added an unexpected twist to the IPL team compositions, prompting the franchises to reevaluate their strategies.
Joe Root’s decision to opt out of IPL 2024 has created a ripple effect in the pre-auction dynamics, forcing Rajasthan Royals to reassess their player retention strategy. As franchises gear up for the retention deadline and subsequent auction on December 19, 2023, the absence of key players like Root and Stokes introduces an element of unpredictability. The IPL landscape continues to evolve, setting the stage for an intriguing and closely watched player auction.