The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 players’ auction is approaching fast, and franchises are looking at every option to upgrade their squads. Former England Test captain Joe Root, who has officially submitted his name for the next mini-auction, is one of the many essential members likely to participate in the bidding process. So, Joe Root is a target for three teams in the IPL 2023 mini-auction.
Notably, Root was offered at the 2018 auction but could not attract interest and went unsold. Root last played in a T20I series in 2019 and was not picked for the 2021 or 2022 T20 World Cup squads. He participated in domestic competitions with the Sydney Thunder in 2018–19, including the T20 Blast, the Hundred, and the Big Bash League (BBL).
Root officially put his name into the next mini-auction, and the player hopes to be selected by a franchise. In light of this, let’s look at three franchises that IPL franchises can target Root in the forthcoming auction.
Sunrisers Hyderabad
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) will seek a capable captain for the 2019 season after releasing Kane Williamson, and Root can fill that position. Root has massive experience, and like previous captain Kane, Root is famous for his serenity and poise.
Notably, the Sunrisers, owned by Kavya Maran, have the most money left, at INR 42.25 crores. SRH will likely pick Root in the auction since they have reliable options for the leadership role.
Punjab Kings
Punjab Kings (PBKS), who released their captain Mayank Agarwal, will also look for a skipper like the Sunrisers. The right-handed batter had a terrible time against the willow the previous season, scoring only 196 runs from 13 games.
In the upcoming season, the Kings will look for a suitable replacement for Mayank. Root, who has experience batting in the middle order, would be the ideal choice. Punjab also has the second-highest remaining budget (INR 32.2 crores), which might aid them in exploring options.
Lucknow Super Giants
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), in comparison to SRH and PBKS, don’t need to worry about choosing a leader. They already have KL Rahul’s services. The Lucknow squad had a fantastic season earlier this year. They will be searching for solutions for the issues that the IPL 2022 exposed.
LSG was good in the captaincy department, but their biggest concern last season was the inexperienced middle order. The Lucknow squad would be looking for a seasoned campaigner, and Root may be the best option. Notably, LSG will surely want to upgrade their middle order after releasing Manish Pandey and Evin Lewis.
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