Rajasthan Royals (RR) will be without the explosive Jos Buttler for their IPL 2024 Qualifier 2 match against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Friday, May 24. Buttler returned to England after their league match against Chennai Super Kings on May 12.
Buttler is currently captaining England in a four-match T20I series against Pakistan at home. The series opener at Headingley, Leeds, on May 22 was washed out without a ball being bowled. The remaining matches are scheduled for May 25 (Edgbaston), May 28 (Cardiff), and May 30 (The Oval).
In Buttler’s absence, England’s Tom Kohler-Cadmore has taken up the opening role for Rajasthan Royals alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal in IPL 2024. However, Kohler-Cadmore has struggled to make an impact. He was dismissed for 18 off 23 balls on his IPL debut against Punjab Kings and managed only 20 off 15 balls against Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Eliminator.
Buttler, on the other hand, had an impressive season as opener for RR before departing for national duty. In 11 innings, the 33-year-old amassed 359 runs at an average of 39.88 and a strike rate of 140.78, including two centuries.
His notable performances include an unbeaten 100 off 58 balls against Royal Challengers Bangalore, where he hit nine fours and four sixes, leading RR to chase down 184 with six wickets in hand. Another standout innings was his sensational 107 off 60 balls against Kolkata Knight Riders*. Buttler’s heroics, featuring nine fours and six sixes, helped RR chase down a mammoth 224 in a thrilling last-ball finish.
Despite the disappointment among fans regarding the ECB’s decision to recall England players ahead of the IPL playoffs, Buttler has defended the move. Speaking to the media, Buttler emphasized the importance of national duty, saying:
“As an England captain, my main priority is to be playing for England. It’s my personal opinion that there shouldn’t be any international cricket that clashes with the IPL. 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.”
England are the defending champions of the T20 World Cup, having defeated Pakistan by five wickets in the 2022 final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
How will RR fare without their star opener in this crucial match? Stay tuned to find out as the battle for a spot in the IPL 2024 final unfolds.
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