'Playing in the IPL... better preparation than playing T20 against Pakistan': Michael Vaughan criticises Jos Buttler's decision to skip playoffs

Former cricketer Michael Vaughan criticised the England Cricket Board's (ECB) decision to call players from the ongoing season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 to compete in the four-match T20I series against Pakistan. He reckoned that the atmosphere, crowd, and high-pressure situation from the cash-rich league would have helped players like Jos Buttler prepare for the upcoming edition of the T20 World Cup 2024.

Michael Vaughan's big remark

"I think you’re going to miss the trick by sending all their players home. You know, I think Will Jacks, Phil Salt, Jos Butler, in particular, playing in the IPL in the eliminators, pressure, crowd, expectation. I would argue that playing here is better preparation than playing a T20 game against Pakistan," Vaughan said on ‘The Club Prairie Fire’ podcast.

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"I’m all for international cricket, but now and again, this tournament in particular, it’s so exposed to pressure. These players are under a huge amount of pressure from fans, owners, and social media. It’s massive. I just felt particularly those two, and Butler, probably not as much, but I still think he could have stayed here. But Will Jacks and Phil Salt, I think they’d have been better prepared staying here playing in the IPL, then going back to head and let’s play a game," he added.

Vaughan explains his statement

Vaughan said he is not telling players to prioritise franchise cricket over International cricket but believes that the high-pressure atmosphere of IPL playoffs would have helped the upcoming English stars to prepare for a big stage like T20 World Cup 2024.

"If you are going back to represent your country, which England players have done, I think that's fair enough. They are playing a series against Pakistan. The England players wouldn't have gone back if it wasn't for the Pakistan series. The series was on the calendar. With English cricket, the defense of the 50-over World Cup was a poor one by England here in India," Vaughan concluded.

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