I’m playing in Indian Premier League for sake of England

JOE ROOT goes into the Indian Premier League auction in a fortnight believing that sealing a deal will benefit the national cause.

Root, 27, has previously resisted the lure of the IPL.

But his decision to make himself available this year could see England’s Test captain leave Christchurch on April 2 after more than five months on tour, travel to the subcontinent and only return home on the eve of the Lord’s Test versus Pakistan, which starts on May 24.

Coach Trevor Bayliss tried to talk Root into skipping the Twenty20 triangular with Australia and New Zealand, as England’s management endeavours to get their multi-format players to take a rest.

But after just five NatWest Blast matches in four years with Yorkshire, Root wants to get up to speed with the short-form game ahead of the World Twenty20 in 2020.

‘I’ve always said I put playing for England first, and if it means resting from things like the IPL, I’ll happily do that,’ Root said.

‘For however long my international career lasts it’s going to be focused about as giving as much as I can for this team and playing for England.

‘But one thing I’ve been very aware of for the past two years is the lack of T20.

‘This is probably the best window of opportunity for me to develop that white-ball side of my game for when that World Cup does come around in a couple of years. You’ve seen how quickly one-day cricket has moved forward in the last three or four years.

‘I don’t want to be missing white-ball cricket and falling behind. I want to make sure I’m keeping my place and setting the standards in this team, leading the way.

‘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 to get the exposure to different players and 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, and that’s where my head’s at.’

This year’s IPL is the 11th edition, with the player auction taking place over the weekend of January 27-28. There could be more England players in the IPL this year than ever before.

Joining Root in the 282 overseas players in the auction could be another six England internationals, including all-rounder Ben Stokes.