England batter Jason Roy has opened up about the difficult phase he went through during the PSL 2022 earlier this year that forced him to pull out of the Indian Premier League 2022 (IPL 2022) after he helped his team to beat the Netherlands by 6 wickets in the second ODI on Sunday (June 19).
He took a short break from the game to rejuvenate himself, as playing continuously while living in a bio-bubble was taking a toll on him. Well, the opener made his 100th ODI remarkable by playing a brilliant knock of 60-ball 73 laced with 13 fours and a six to help England chase down the target of 236 with ease.
The 31-year-old was pleased with his performance as he was out for 1 during England’s record-breaking 498-run win over the Netherlands in the first ODI. Now, they take a 2-0 lead in the three-match ODI series.
Jason Roy was quoted as saying by Sky Sports: “Things mentally weren’t right with me at the PSL. I was in a weird place because I was playing good cricket but I wasn’t enjoying myself, I wasn’t happy and it was just a dark time. It was just a good two months to come home and live a normal life for a bit after a tough couple of years.”
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He further explained, “(There were) a lot of months away. Over 50 days of hotel quarantine the year before and then having a child in January and having to spend time away from him was just a bit too much. I missed the IPL to spend some time at home and it refreshed my mind and body, and I recognized where I was at with a lot of things.
So, it is nice to be here now and I’m chomping at the bit to put the badge back on. It’s the same for Surrey. I’ve loved every minute of that. It’s a nice feeling to be in love with the game again.”
On his 100th ODI, Roy noted: “To be involved with a team like this for 100 games is ridiculous. It’s an incredible feeling. It kind of crept up. The hundred feels very special. At least the 100th game was better than my first innings! But it’s an incredible feeling - whether I got 70 or nought here, it would have been a special day. I couldn’t be prouder. It’s an incredible feeling.”
He also backed England captain Eoin Morgan, who has registered two ducks in the first two ODIs, to make a comeback. Roy said, “As soon as the result’s there and we’ve won the game, he’s (Morgan) happy. That’s just the fickle nature of the sport. If you’re behind the eight ball it’s quite tough but he’s an incredible worker, an incredible guy so I’m backing him for sure.”
He concluded, “He’s the captain of our side and winning the game so I think that means more to him than his scores, which makes him more special to play under. He will be alright. He’ll be absolutely fine.”
