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 centuries.
Rajasthan Royals (RR) were among the most consistent teams in the previous cycle, qualifying for the playoffs twice in three attempts. Jos Buttler’s performance was one of the key reasons behind its immense success.
Since IPL 2022, he has amassed 1614 runs at an average of 42.47 and a strike rate of 144.62 in 42 innings, including eight fifties and centuries. He was RR’s leading run scorer in the previous cycle.
Their performance in the 2022 edition played a crucial role in leading the Royals to the finals, where they placed second behind the Gujarat Titans (GT). He was among the best foreign 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 are facing the dilemma of retaining Jos Buttler ahead of the IPL 2025 auction. The main reason behind this dilemma is his recent physical problems, especially his calf injury.
He has not played competitive cricket since the 2024 T20 World Cup and has suffered numerous setbacks in his rehabilitation. The latter will keep him out of the West Indies ODIs, starting later this week.
His problems with his calf are not new; He has missed a good chunk of action before due to the same injury. As England’s premium player and captain in all white-ball formats, Buttler’s availability will continue to be an issue in the future as England would like to preserve him once he recovers.
There is at least one ICC event in the next three years and several crucial white-ball assignments, and England would want him to prioritize domestic commitments. Additionally, it won’t be easy for him to perform consistently once he returns from injury, so retaining him as one of your top retentions might not be an ideal decision.
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Jos Buttler’s IPL Auction Value
No matter how much his return is delayed, Jos Buttler’s value in the IPL auction will always remain high. If RR decides to release him, all teams will approach Buttler and his price will increase significantly due to his superior skills in the shorter format.
His innings-building method has been hugely effective and he has done so consistently for different teams in his T20 career. He is a great match-winner in the shortest format and has proven his worth in the toughest T20 league.
Additionally, he also offers a wicketkeeping option, although he has sworn off wearing gloves for England due to his injury history. There is also leadership value in Buttler as he has led England successfully in T20Is.
He understands the game well and has played this format for over ten years, which means he knows how to lead a franchise. Overall, Buttler is a good package and will be in high demand at the auction.
What can Rajasthan Royals do?
Rajasthan Royals may not want to part with one of their best players, even if it is unclear if his return will be anywhere close to his previous heroics. He is played only as a batsman because Sanju Samson keeps wickets and captains the team.
Therefore, RR should try to convince him to accept the second or third position instead of accepting INR 18 crores as the first or fourth retention. If it enters the auction, its value could be close to the holding slab in second or third place.
Therefore, RR can retain Sanju Samson and Yashasvi Jaiswal at the top, while keeping Jos Buttler and Riyan Parag as their third and fourth retainers. Then, they will be able to retain Sandeep Sharma as an uncapped player.
They are in a bind regarding the Jos Buttler situation. Quality-wise, he is among the best, but it remains to be seen his recent injury history and whether he can remain injury-free and shoot with the same consistency.
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