IPL 2021: Rajasthan Royals’ Jos Buttler pulls out of UAE leg

Rajasthan Royals and England’s wicket-keeper batsman Jos Buttler will not be available for the remainder of IPL 2021, the franchise announced on Saturday. The second leg of the cash-rich league begins in the United Arab Emirates on September 19. 

The Royals took to Twitter to say that Buttler is expecting a second child soon. Hence he has decided to not participate in the IPL. 

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“Jos Buttler will not be part of the remainder of #IPL2021, as he and Louise are expecting a second child soon. We wish them well, and can’t wait for the newest member of the #RoyalsFamily,” the franchise tweeted.

The 30-year-old’s withdrawal only adds to Rajasthan Royals’ worries. The 2008 champions will also miss the services of two other English players – Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer. While the former has taken an indefinite break from all forms of cricket to focus on his mental wellbeing while also recovering from a finger injury, the latter underwent elbow surgery last week and will also miss the T20 World Cup and the Ashes. Rajasthan have already brought in New Zealand’s Glen Philips as a replacement. 

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Jos Buttler amassed 254 runs at an average of  36.28 and a strike rate of 153.01 in the first half of the tournament. His seven-match stay in the 14th edition of IPL included a 64-ball 124-run knock against the Sunrisers Hyderabad. Buttler has 1968 IPL runs under his belt at a staggering strike rate of 150. Rajasthan Royals will start the UAE leg at the fifth position on the points table with six points in seven fixtures.

Meanwhile, the Royal Challengers Bangalore roped in three replacements ahead of the second leg. Sri Lanka all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga, pacer Dushmantha Chameera and Singapore all-rounder Tim David have been added to the RCB squad. 

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IPL 2021 had been suspended midway in May after several cases of COVID-19 were reported inside the bio-bubble.

Buttler, currently with the English Test squad, is playing Virat Kohli and company in a five-match Test series. England are 1-0 down in the series.