England's leading Test batter, Root has not been involved with the T20I side since 2019 but has made no secret of his desire to continue developing his game in the shortest format. He is on the list for Friday's IPL auction and the link with Capitals - part of the franchise run by Delhi Capitals joint-owners, GMR Group - will not hurt his chances of being picked up.

Root remains a key part of England's ODI set-up but has been granted some time off the international treadmill ahead of the Test team's tour of New Zealand in February.

Having helped England to the final of the 2016 World T20, scoring an audacious 83 off 44 in a record run chase against South Africa during the group stage, Root fell out of contention due to the rise of Dawid Malan, who plays a similar anchor role in the top order. His last T20I came against Pakistan at Cardiff in the lead-up to the 2019 50-over World Cup.