In a significant announcement, England wicketkeeper-batter Jos Buttler has confirmed that he will not return to the SA20 for the Paarl Royals in 2025. The star player stated that he is prioritizing his national commitments, expressing his disappointment in a social media message on August 6.
The SA20 tournament is set to take place from January 9 to February 8, 2025, coinciding with England’s tour of India, which includes five T20 Internationals and three One-Day Internationals scheduled between January 22 and February 12. Despite facing pressure regarding his leadership role, Buttler is expected to continue as England’s white-ball captain until at least the 2025 Champions Trophy.
In his message to the Paarl Royals’ fans, Buttler shared, “I am disappointed that I won’t be coming back to the SA20 this year. There are some England games on and my full focus will be there. It’s a shame I won’t be coming back to the tournament. I have got a lot of love for the tournament. Huge amount of love for the Paarl Royals and especially the Paarl Royals fans. I wish you all the best in the competition and hopefully, I can come back in the future.”
Buttler has been a standout player in the SA20, finishing as the leading run-scorer in 2023 and ranking fourth this year with 408 runs at an impressive average of 40.80. His connection to the Royals is further strengthened by his role with the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Replacement for Buttler
Following Buttler’s withdrawal, the Paarl Royals have acted quickly to fill the gap, with Dinesh Karthik set to join the franchise as an overseas player for the 2025 season. Karthik, who recently retired from international and IPL cricket after Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s exit in the IPL 2024 playoffs, brings a wealth of experience to the team.
The current interim squad for the Paarl Royals includes players such as David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Bjorn Fortuin, Andile Phehlukwayo, and now Dinesh Karthik. Additional overseas players are expected to be announced closer to the tournament as availability is secured.
Buttler’s absence will undoubtedly be felt, but the Royals are hopeful that they can maintain their competitive edge in the upcoming SA20 season. As the tournament approaches, fans will be eager to see how the team adapts and which new talents they bring into the fold.
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