'I wasn't myself' - Joe Root reveals the reason behind quitting England captaincy

Joe Root (Image source- twitter)

Joe Root, the star for England in the Test format, has revealed some interesting facts about his life and the reason behind the captaincy exit. The batter has been batting exceptionally well and has outclassed most of the batters in the test format. In an exclusive interview with Telegraph Sport's Vaughany and Tuffers Cricket Club podcast, Root has revealed that the English captaincy started to affect his personal life.

The 32-year-old added that he resigned from captaincy once he realized the effect that the captaincy had on his life. "The last couple of years, it took the life of me, really. And it did take its toll. It was the right decision for the group, first and foremost, but also for me personally, I wasn't myself," he said.

Joe Root further added that he wasn't himself and said that it affected the time he spent with his kids. He further highlighted the importance of reflecting upon oneself and admitting the importance of moving on.

"I was coming home from series and I wasn't able to switch off or wasn't able to be present with my family. And I could see myself as a shadow of the person that I want to be. I think sometimes you've got to be big enough to understand that it's time to move on and time for someone else to take that great honour on," Root further added.

It just wasn't fair on those guys: Joe Root

Joe Root added that it was not fair on his part to not have a great time with his wife and kids. He expressed his displeasure about being absent-minded most of the time he spent with his wife. The legendary batter added that he shared the burden with Ben Stokes first and then passed on the same to his family.

"Out there (West Indies), I was desperate to turn things around. To come back to England, have a fresh look at things, but I'm so glad that we went about things the way we did," he said.

"And I spoke to Ben personally, as my vice-captain and probably closest friend within the group first, and quite a while before anyone else. And then it was quite a relief once I'd spoken to family and got that off my chest," Root said in the interview.

The current year was a path-breaking one for Joe Root, the batter and said that the captaincy exit did not affect his batting in any way.

"That was my quiet time if you like. It's only you, you don't have to think about anything other than watching the ball. And the longer I stayed out there, the more peaceful it was. And the less stuff that I had on my mind and the more in control of things you are as well,” he concluded.