“My top priority is playing for England,” says Jos Buttler following his early exit from IPL 2024.
As many as eight England players left the current edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) during the final week of the league stage to be available for international duty for the T20I series against Pakistan. Amidst criticism, Buttler has responded.
England are set to play Pakistan in the first of a four-match T20I series today (May 22) at Headingley in Leeds. Eight English cricketers, including captain Jos Buttler, returned early from the ongoing IPL edition for this series. This decision was met with disapproval, particularly from former Indian cricketers Irfan Pathan and Sunil Gavaskar, who criticized the foreign players for abandoning their franchises at a crucial stage of the tournament.
For context, besides Buttler, players like Phil Salt, Reece Topley, and Will Jacks would have participated in the IPL playoffs if they had stayed. Their absence is expected to impact their respective teams. However, Jos Buttler has defended the ECB’s decision to recall the players for the Pakistan series.
Buttler emphasized that international duty takes precedence for him and that it was crucial for the World Cup-bound players to play together before the major event. He also expressed the view that international cricket should not clash with the IPL, which puts players in a difficult position.
“As an England captain, my main priority is to play for England. Personally, I believe there shouldn’t be any international cricket that conflicts with the IPL. These games have been on the calendar for a long time. Leading into a World Cup, your top priority is playing and performing for England. I feel like this is the best preparation,” Buttler said on the eve of the first T20I against Pakistan.
Notably, New Zealand played five T20Is against Pakistan during the IPL but sent a second-string squad as their main players were busy in the cash-rich league. Similarly, the upcoming South Africa vs West Indies T20I series will be held without the IPL-bound players from both teams.
