England’s Test captain Joe Root has revealed that he is considering entering the upcoming IPL auction, four years after going unsold for the lucrative T20 league.

Root is yet to play in the IPL after going unsold in the 2018 auction. The 31-year-old batter, however, said he would look to play in the tournament only if it does not distract him from his Test career.

“Time is ticking but I have a lot to weigh up,” Root said, according to ESPNcricinfo.com.

“Will it have a negative impact on me playing Test cricket? If I don’t think so, then I will put myself in the auction. But I will never do anything that will detract from playing Test cricket for England. It’s so important to make sure that is the priority for me and other players as well.”

Root had expressed his desire to play in the IPL earlier too even though he had decided against entering the auction.

The auction is scheduled to be held on February 12 and 13 in Bangalore. On Wednesday, Australian pacer Mitchell Starc said he was also contemplating making a comeback to the IPL, after a lengthy hiatus despite a hectic schedule that includes touring the subcontinent and the T20 World Cup title defence at home later this year.

Starc, who last played in the IPL in 2015, said he hasn’t made the decision yet but entering his name for the auction, the nominations for which close on Friday, is “certainly on the table”.