Jos Buttler has weighed in on the decision by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to withdraw players from the lucrative IPL playoffs in order to participate in the upcoming T20I series against Pakistan. Buttler, who himself left his IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals early, believes that playing in the series against Pakistan is the best preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup for England, taking priority over the IPL.
What does Buttler has to say about England players leaving IPL for T20 WC?
Jos Buttler’s stance is clear: when it comes to preparing for the T20 World Cup 2024, international cricket takes precedence over IPL commitments. The English skipper argues that international cricket, like the upcoming T20I series against Pakistan, provides a more relevant environment for World Cup preparation compared to the IPL. Apart from this, Buttler even let out his feeling that IPL should not clash with any international calendar, especially before a high-pressure tournament like a T20 World Cup.
“It’s my personal opinion that there shouldn’t be any international cricket that clashes with the IPL. I think that these games have been in the calendar for a long time. Of course, leading into a World Cup, your No. 1 priority is playing for England and performing for England. I feel like this is the best preparation.”
Notably, Buttler is likely to miss some part of the upcoming series against Pakistan, which is scheduled to begin from May 22 in Leeds. This is due to the fact that he is expecting the birth his third child.
Buttler’s absence leaves a gaping hole in the Rajasthan Royals’ lineup. His explosive batting, ability to finish games makes him indispensable. As RR set to face Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Eliminator, they’ll miss Buttler’s firepower. But Buttler’s commitment to England’s cause remains unwavering. In the 11 games he played for RR this season, Buttler clubbed 359 runs at average of 39.89 and a strike rate of 140.78.
Eight members of England’s provisional T20 World Cup squad opted out of the remainder of the IPL season, including four players whose franchises qualified for the playoffs. This decision has caused some controversy, with other national boards like West Indies and South Africa allowing their players to fulfill their IPL commitments while missing international matches.
England players who missed IPL 2024 playoffs for ENG vs PAK T20Is
| Player | IPL team |
|---|---|
| Jos Buttler | RR |
| Will Jacks | RCB |
| Phil Salt | KKR |
| Reece Topley | RCB |
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