Since IPL 2022, Jos Buttler has 1614 runs at an average of 42.47 and a strike rate of 144.62 in 42 innings, including eight fifties and six centuries.
Rajasthan Royals (RR) were among the most consistent teams in the previous cycle, qualifying for playoffs twice in three attempts. Jos Buttler’s performance was one of the key reasons behind their immense success.
Since IPL 2022, he has 1614 runs at an average of 42.47 and a strike rate of 144.62 in 42 innings, including eight fifties and six centuries. He was RR’s leading run-scorer in the previous cycle.
His performance in the 2022 edition played a crucial role in taking the Royals to the final, where they came second to the Gujarat Titans (GT). He was among the finest overseas players and formed an ideal combination with Yashasvi Jaiswal at the top.
Should Rajasthan Royals retain Jos Buttler?
Despite his superior performances in the previous cycle, Rajasthan Royals face a dilemma about whether to retain Jos Buttler ahead of the IPL 2025 auction. The main reason behind this dilemma is his recent fitness issues, especially his calf injury.
He hasn’t played competitive cricket since the T20 World Cup 2024 and has suffered numerous setbacks in his rehab. The latest one will keep him out of the West Indies ODIs, starting later this week.
His issues with his calf are not new; he has missed a fair chunk of action previously due to the same injury. As a premium England player and captain across white-ball formats, Buttler’s availability will remain an issue in the future, for England would want to preserve him once he gets fit.
There’s at least one ICC event in the next three years and several crucial white-ball assignments, and England would want him to prioritise national commitments. Further, it won’t be easy for him to perform consistently once he returns from the injury, so retaining him as one of their top retentions might not be an ideal move.
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Jos Buttler’s IPL auction value
No matter how delayed his comeback gets, Jos Buttler’s value in the IPL auction will always remain high. If RR decide to release him, all teams will approach Buttler, and his price will rise significantly due to his superior abilities in the shortest format.
His innings construction method has been massively effective, and he has done it consistently for different teams in his T20 career. He is a runaway match-winner in the shortest format and has proved his mettle in the toughest T20 league.
Further, he also provides a wicketkeeping option, even though he has relinquished taking gloves for England due to his injury history. There’s also leadership value in Buttler, for he has led England successfully in T20Is.
He understands the game well and has played this format for over ten years, meaning he knows how to lead a franchise. Overall, Buttler is a fine package and will be in heavy demand in the auction.
What can Rajasthan Royals do?
Rajasthan Royals might not want to leave one of their top performers, even if it’s uncertain whether his returns will be close to his previous heroics. They play him solely as a batter because Sanju Samson keeps the wickets and captains the side.
Hence, RR should try convincing him to agree to the second or third slot rather than taking INR 18 crores as the first or fourth retention. If he comes into the auction, his value might be close to the retention slab at the second or third slot.
Hence, RR can retain Sanju Samson and Yashasvi Jaiswal at the top slab, while keeping Jos Buttler and Riyan Parag as their third and fourth retention. Then, they can retain Sandeep Sharma as an uncapped player.
They are in a pickle regarding Jos Buttler’s situation. Quality-wise, he is up there among the finest, but the recent history of injuries and whether he can remain injury-free and fire at the same consistency remains to be seen.
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