Joe Root cricketer has not ruled out a return to England’s T20 setup, despite last featuring in the format nearly five years ago. The 34-year-old, who has been absent from England’s T20 side since May 2019, recently made headlines with his performances in the SA20 tournament, where he played for Paarl Royals.
During the competition, Root demonstrated an ability to accelerate his scoring, registering three half-centuries at a strike rate of 140. This display of adaptability contrasts with his typically measured approach in Test cricket and has reignited speculation about a possible return to England’s T20 squad.
Root has seen limited action in white-ball internationals since England’s 2019 World Cup triumph, featuring in just 28 ODIs over the past five years. However, with England’s current white-ball transition and Test coach Brendon McCullum now influencing the limited-overs teams, Root remains open to the possibility of a T20 recall.
“I haven’t thought much about international T20 cricket because I’ve been out of it for so long,” Root admitted. “But I’ve never completely given up on it.”
Acknowledging England’s evolving approach in the shortest format, he continued: “The T20 game has changed, and the role required in that position might be different now. But what excites me is the challenge of evolving as a player—figuring out how I can improve and contribute in the best way possible.”
Joe Root cricketer has worked under McCullum in the Test side since 2022, and his recent white-ball performances could give selectors something to think about ahead of upcoming T20 competitions.
England’s White-Ball Rebuild
England’s recent T20 series loss to India marked a shaky start to their latest white-ball reset. However, Root remains optimistic about the talent in the squad and the potential for players to grow in both ODI and T20 cricket.
“I think some of the guys don’t even realise how good they can be in limited-overs cricket,” he said. “That’s the most exciting thing—it reminds me a little of 2015-16 when Eoin Morgan took charge. Back then, we didn’t know how far we could push ourselves, and it turned into something special.
“Being part of this setup now is similar. There’s so much potential, and it’s exciting to see where we can take it.”
Root is currently focused on England’s three-match ODI series against India, followed by the Champions Trophy. England’s campaign in the tournament begins on 22 February against Australia, where Root will be looking to make an impact in the 50-over format.
Whether his performances lead to a T20 recall remains to be seen, but with Root’s hunger to adapt and evolve, the door to England’s T20 side may not be closed just yet.
