'Think That Ship Has Sailed': Joe Root Rules Out Being England's White-Ball Captain, Focuses On Upcoming Test Season
Joe Root has ruled out becoming England's white-ball captain, focusing on the upcoming Test series against India and the Ashes. He believes England can reset and return to their best form.
The star English batter, Joe Root, has shut down any possible chance of taking up England’s vacant position as the white-ball captain and remains focused on being at his best form for the upcoming home Test series against India and the Ashes Tour as well.
After England’s disappointing group-stage exit in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Jos Buttler decided to step down as the limited-overs skipper as they lost all three games to Australia, Afghanistan and South Africa respectively in the recently concluded tournament.
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Speaking to Sky Sports Cricket, Root feels that his time as a captain is over but backs the side to have the talent to come back stronger in the future. He sees this opportunity as the perfect window to reset themselves and get back to their best form as seen during the 2015-2019 period, where they went on to lift the ODI World Cup.
“I don’t think so. I think that ship’s sailed. I think I’ve done my time as a captain in England, but I’m sure whoever gets the opportunity to do it will be extremely proud and do a brilliant job. The Champions Trophy was disappointing. We didn’t play anywhere near what we’re capable of, but there’s so much talent and so much more to come from that team."
“I think it’s a really good opportunity to reset and to move forward again as a group and get back to the heights that we know we’re capable of and where we were in and around that 2015 to 2019 phase (winning the ODI World Cup in 2019)," Root was quoted as saying.
Root remains excited for the challenge that comes with facing both India and Australia and sees the team going on the right track to success for the coming fixtures.
“These are the years you play for. Two of the biggest teams, two of the biggest series you can play in as an England player. It’s something the team is relishing. I do think this team’s building – covering a lot of bases and giving ourselves a lot of options to be successful in different conditions," he commented.
Speaking on the Ashes tour, Root remains confident in their chances, but they have to get things right in the build-up stages and focus on remaining consistent, particularly during the India series that comes before.
I’ve done my time" 🕰️Joe Root has ruled himself out of running to be England’s next ODI captain ❌ pic.twitter.com/TYMdVov7bP
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) March 28, 2025
“I think we’re capable of (winning The Ashes). I think we’ve got to look after things leading up to that. We’ve got to play some really strong cricket at home. We are good in our own conditions, but with India coming over for a five-match series, there’s no hiding place. It’s a long old slog, you’ve got to be consistent. You’ve got to put in those match-winning performances time and time again," added Root.
Prior to the home series against India, England will begin their preparations with a four-day Test against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge in Nottingham that is set to begin on May 22, later this year.
“I think as soon as you lose that, I think it’s time to call it a day. You’re constantly looking to evolve, you never want to stand still, you never want to be that guy that’s happy with where they’re at," he shared.
“As long as you’ve got that mentality of finding ways of helping yourself and the team move forward – whether that’s working with some of the younger players, trying to be a good professional around training and giving some good advice – then that can only really benefit not just yourself but the guys around you, too," he concluded.
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