'There are wonderful players currently playing but look at what he has done'- Joe Root in awe of his cricketing idol

As the inaugural edition of the ILT20 approaches, former England cricket captain Joe Root is gearing up to revive his career in the shortest format of the game. Ahead of the tournament's opening fixture, Root shared his admiration for Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, who had a profound impact on him as a young player.

Root, who has been signed by the Dubai Capitals for the ILT20 2023, is looking forward to getting his domestic T20 career on track. Speaking to the media, he noted Tendulkar's unparalleled longevity and ability to handle pressure in the game, and acknowledged that while there are many talented players currently in the sport, Tendulkar's achievements are truly remarkable.

“I mean obviously there are some wonderful players currently playing but look at what Sachin has achieved, it’s just remarkable really, the longevity, the ability to be such a high-performing player at such a young age, and then to be able to sustain and to keep developing and moving forward in the game. There have been times when he’s carried the weight of the pressure on his shoulders, and he did it for over 20 years," Root said to Zee ahead of the ILT20 season opener.

Standout for me as kid growing up- Root

Root who has been part of the 'Fab four' alongside Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson, and Steve Smith, highlighted Sachin's longevity. He said that Tendulkar started playing even before Root was born and continued to play even after Root's debut.

"He made his debut before I was born and played in my debut, and it just shows how and what he was for Indian Cricket for such a long period of time. Truly great at the game, someone that you know, along with many others. I was a kid and I was admiring the way he played, and how easy it looked, and not only has he contributed to Indian cricket but also to world cricket. So yeah, definitely a standout for me as a kid growing up," he added.