‘It wasn’t an easy decision…’ – Chris Woakes clears air over Indian T20 League opt-out

Chris Woakes, the 20-20 World Cup-winning cricketer, opted out of the upcoming Indian T20 League and refrained from applying for the auction. Opening up on the same, Woakes clarified that it was a difficult decision to make as the tournament is highly rewarding as compared to the other tournaments. 

Revealing his dreams to make a comeback in red-ball cricket, Woakes said that it was mandatory for him to opt out of the tournament. Also, the English allrounder said that it was a tricky situation as a part of him still wanted to be a part of the Indian T20 League given that it is a place where all international players go, to take part in the highly competitive tournament. 

“It wasn’t an easy decision, by any means. There’s still a part of me that wishes I could go because the Indian T20 League is a great tournament and financially it could be very rewarding – but I didn’t want to make the decision solely on finance,” Woakes was quoted as saying to ESPNCricinfo. 

I want to suggest people that I can play red-ball cricket: Chris Woakes

Further, Woakes said that he wanted to remind people and fellow cricketers that he could play red-ball cricket. The English allrounder said that he wishes to take part in domestic cricket in England, with a hope to make a comeback in the longest format of the game and eventually work on his fitness at the request of England’s managing director. 

“It’s a tricky scenario: having just won a World Cup, potentially stock could be high. There are obviously some other players who are likely to go big but I could have been next on the list behind them. I had conversations with a lot of people and some with franchises as well, who sounded keen, which made it harder to pull out. But having not played any cricket in the English summer last year, it’s a good opportunity for me to set myself up for, hopefully, a really strong summer with England,” Woakes was quoted as saying. 

“It’s an Ashes year and I haven’t played much red-ball cricket. I need to suggest to people and remind people that I can play red-ball cricket and get through it – both from a fitness point of view, but also to show what I can do to try and have a go at being part of the Ashes,” he added.