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Rajasthan Royals (RR) opener Jos Buttler has travelled back home ahead of ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. The franchise posted a video of Buttler leaving for the airport. In the video, ‘Vida Karo’ song from movie Chamkila has been used. Buttler can be heard bidding goodbye to team as he said, “Facetime me with the trophy. Yeah?”.
Buttler will begin his preparations for the T20 World Cup 2024 in the USA and West Indies. The Buttler-led side will take on Babar Azam’s Pakistan in the four-T20I series at home ahead of the mega event. The T20I series will begin on May 22 and end on May 30. Along with Buttler, Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) Reece Topley and Will Jacks have left for home as well.
Buttler’s IPL 2024 numbers
The wicketkeeper-batter was not consistent in the ongoing season. He played as an impact player in a few games as well. He scored 359 runs from 11 games at an average of 39.89 including two centuries. His strike rate is 140.78. The two centuries he scored were in successful run chases.
Royals’ remaining games of league stage
RR are yet to qualify for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 playoffs. They are second on the points table with eight wins from 12 games. A win will cement their playoff spot.
The Sanju Samson-led side will take on Punjab Kings (PBKS) on May 15 at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati. Their final league clash is against current table toppers Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on May 19.
Who can replace Buttler?
Wicketkeeper-batter Tom Kohler-Cadmore can replace him at the top. Kohler-Cadmore has scored 4,734 runs from 190 games at an average of 28.01 including one century and 34 fifties. His strike rate is 139.68. The Englishman is yet to make his IPL debut.
Earlier, RR experimented with Tanush Kotian in Buttler’s absence. However, the move backfired as Kotian scored 24 runs from 31 balls against PBKS in the run chase of 148.
Also, If Samson decides to open the innings alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal, South Africa's Donovan Ferreira is a good option down the order.
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