'Difficult decision': England skipper Joe Root opts out of IPL 2021 auction
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Root is not a part of England's T20I squad in the on-going series against India and he has not ever featured in the T20 league.
England skipper Joe Root on Friday said that he is "desperate" to play in cash-rich Indian Premier League, however, his commitment to England cricket remains a top priority.
Root opted out of this year's IPL auctions that were set to be held on February 18. "It was a very difficult decision," Root said on the eve of the second Test against India in Chennai starting Saturday.
"At some point in my career I am desperate to try and be a part of an IPL season and a few more beyond that. Something that I love to experience and love to be a part of."
Root is not a part of England's T20I squad in the on-going series against India and he has not ever featured in the T20 league.
"With the amount of international cricket and Test cricket, in particular, this year, I didn't feel it was the right time to throw all my energy into it which I think it deserves," said Root.
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"And I don't think it would set English cricket up best with what's to come. Hopefully next year there will be an opportunity to potentially be a part of the IPL or at least be in the auctions."
IPL 2021 Auctions: 292 players have been shortlisted to go under auction for the upcoming Indian Premier League. These players have been picked from the initial list of 1,114 cricketers.
"Rs 2 crore is the highest reserve price and two Indian players - Harbhajan Singh and Kedar Jadhav -- and eight overseas players -- Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, Shakib Al Hasan, Moeen Ali, Sam Billings, Liam Plunkett, Jason Roy & Mark Wood have chosen to be slotted in the highest bracket," BCCI's statement said.
12 overseas cricketers (no Indians) are there in the auction list with the base price Rs 1.5 crore. 11 players, including just two Indian players (Hanuma Vihari and Umesh Yadav), in the list, will have the base price of Rs 1 crore.
The statement released by BCCI read: "1,114 cricketers had initially registered for the auction. The final list was then pruned after the eight franchises submitted their shortlist of players."