Amid England's struggles against spin at the ongoing five-match T20I series against India, former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has backed their star batter Joe Root to play the 2026 T20 World Cup being co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

At home this season, the Royals beat the Sunrisers by nine wickets, beat MI Cape Town by six wickets, beat beat Joburg Super Kings by six wickets, beat Pretoria Capitals by 11 runs and beat Durban’s Super Giants by six wickets.

Joe Root was out for a first-ball duck but Paarl Royals beat Durban's Super Giants by six wickets to extend their lead at the top of the SA20 table. Root, who went into the game as the top scorer in the tournament with 279 runs in seven innings, was trapped lbw by Prenelan Subrayen as he looked to sweep.

Check out Paarl Royals batter Joe Root taking on pushup challenge with Afghanistan bowler Mujeeb Ur Rahman during SA20 2025. Read more only on CricTracker.

The legendary English cricketer smashed 92* off just 60 balls to help Paarl Royals chase down a huge total of 212 against Pretoria Capitals in the 12th match of the SA20 2025. Root has been in sensational form in T20 cricket ahead of his return to ODIs in the Champions Trophy 2025.

Joe Root was at his imperious best in fiercely difficult conditions, scoring an unbeaten 78 to lead the Paarl Royals to a competitive total of 140 for four after being asked to bat first in their SA20 match against the Pretoria Capitals at Boland Park in Paarl on Saturday afternoon.

England legend Joe Root struck a masterful 78 not out and claimed two wickets to steer the Paarl Royals into the playoffs at a fiercely hot Boland Park on Saturday afternoon. The Royals became the first team in Season 3 to qualify for the next stage of the competition after their 11-run victory over Pretoria Capitals.

Joe Root starred with bat and ball as Paarl Royals cemented their place in the SA20 playoffs after beating the Pretoria Capitals by 11 runs at Boland Park on Saturday.