Joe Root has expressed his desire to return to England's T20 squad, despite not playing the format for the national team since 2019. The calls for his inclusion have grown louder following England's struggles in T20 cricket, particularly after their semi-final exit from the 2024 T20 World Cup.

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Root, currently 34, has remained a cornerstone of England's Test team but has shown renewed ambition to play in all formats for his country.

Root, who has been selected for England's upcoming three-match ODI series against India, recently spoke about his dream of representing England in all formats once again. He was also realistic about the competition within the T20 setup and acknowledged the need for more consistent performances in the shortest format.

“I want to play as much for England as I can, in all formats. But, you know, at the same time, I have got to play more T20 cricket to prove myself and see where that takes me,” Root said during an interview at the SA20 league.

Root's recent performances in the SA20 league for the Paarl Royals have sparked discussions about his potential return to England's T20 side. He was a standout performer in the ongoing tournament, scoring 279 runs in eight innings at a strike rate of 140 and an average of 55. Additionally, he contributed with the ball, taking five wickets, further showcasing his all-round capabilities.

Reflecting on his T20 ambitions, Root said: “I think you are always a better player when you are not in the team. I am just going to try and play the best cricket I can. You look at that squad, it's full of talented players. They can take the game away from the best bowlers in the world."