Joe Root, England’s Test captain, has hinted that he may enter the 2019 IPL auction, four years after going unsold in the lucrative T20 league’s auction.
Root, regarded as one of the game’s modern greats, is yet to compete in the IPL after going unsold in the 2018 auction.
The 31-year-old batsman, on the other hand, indicated he would only participate in the competition if it did not interfere with his Test career.
According to ESPNcricinfo.com, Root added, “Time is ticking but I have a lot to weigh up.”
“Will it have an adverse effect on my ability to play Test cricket? If I don’t believe it, I’ll put myself up for auction. But I will never do something that will prevent me from representing England in Test cricket. It’s critical that I, as well as the other players, make this a top priority.”
Root had previously indicated his desire to participate in the IPL, despite his decision not to enter the auction.
The mega-auction for the 2019 season will take place in Bengaluru on February 12 and 13.
Despite a busy itinerary that includes touring the subcontinent and defending the T20 World Cup title at home later this year, Australian pacer Mitchell Starc revealed on Wednesday that he was considering returning to the IPL after a long absence.
Starc, who last played in the IPL in 2015, said he hasn’t made up his mind, but that nominating for the league’s super auction, which closes on Friday, is “definitely on the table.”
In 2018, Starc signed a contract with Kolkata Knight Riders worth Rs 9.4 crore, but was forced to leave due to an injury.
Despite being one of the best T20 bowlers in the world, the left-arm pacer has only played in two IPL seasons owing to injury and workload management.
Starc took 34 wickets at an economy rate of 7.16 and an outstanding strike rate of 17. in 27 matches for Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2014 and 2015.