Snubbed Root happy for teammates in IPL

LONDON, april 24

England Test captain Joe Root is not bitter about his exclusion from this year’s Indian Premier League (IPL) and believes his teammates playing in the T20 tournament will hugely benefit from the experience. The 27-year-old led England on their gruelling tour of Australia, where they suffered a 4-0 Ashes defeat, followed by another Test series loss in New Zealand in March.

Root went unsold in the IPL players’ auction in February but does not grudge several England players who are in India to showcase their talents in the ongoing tournament. “It’s not frustration watching the other guys,” Root told Sky Sports Cricket.

“I went into the IPL auction to get a bit more exposure to T20 cricket, it didn’t materialise, it would have been nice to be involved in that but I’ve got no bitter feelings towards the other guys, I think it’s great.”  Root is instead watching his England teammates, including all-rounder Ben Stokes and wicketkeeper batsman Jos Buttler, play in IPL and believes their experience would strengthen the team. — Reuters