A prominent England player, Joe Root, surprised cricket fans by announcing that he would not participate in the IPL 2024, only a day before the teams had to determine which players to maintain. Root entered the IPL after the Royals selected him in the 2023 auction with INR 1 million.
Joe Root wanted to learn as much as possible during his stint in the IPL, even though he only played three games and batted in one. He appreciated spending time with and mentoring emerging talent such as Yashasvi Jaiswal and Riyan Parag.
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Root, who played for the Rajasthan Royals last season, is looking for some downtime following a hectic schedule. Like that of his teammate Ben Stokes, this choice has divided the Royals and their supporters.
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Kumar Sangakkara, the Royals’ director of cricket, stated on their website that they respect Root’s decision.
Despite only being with the Royals briefly, Root had a beneficial influence on the squad. Sangakkara commended Root for his abilities to energize the team and add significant expertise to the Royals.
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Root’s friendship with Jos Buttler and his bond with Yuzvendra Chahal were cited as unforgettable memories. England’s managing director of men’s cricket, Rob Key, defended Root’s decision, stating that Root needed a vacation.
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Root has been playing a lot, according to Key, from the New Zealand series to the Ashes and more. The managing director recognized that this hectic schedule may tax a player and supported Root’s decision to take some time off.
Joe Root’s decision to boycott the IPL 2024 proves that even superstars sometimes take vacations. While the Royals mourn the loss of Root, they accept his decision and value his great influence on the squad. Fans are excited to see what the Royals will do next, hoping for a fresh group to continue the team’s success in the following season as IPL enthusiasm rises.