IPL 2024: Franchises Refuse to Release England Players for Pakistan Series

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Original Content: IPL 2024: Franchises Refuse to Release England Players for Pakistan Series

The BCCI and the ECB are in talks about England’s white-ball players participating in the IPL 2024 playoffs. This could mean that players such as Jos Buttler and Phil Salt might skip the upcoming four-match T20I series against Pakistan to play in the IPL playoffs.

With the T20 tournament now past its midpoint, teams are vying for a place in the top four. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) currently sit at the top of the points table, closely trailed by Rajasthan Royals (RR), both almost securing their playoff spots, while other teams are battling for the remaining positions.

The IPL playoffs are scheduled to be held from May 21 to May 26 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, overlapping with England’s four-match T20I series against Pakistan at home. This presents a scheduling conflict for English players participating in both competitions.

The ECB made it clear that players selected for the T20 World Cup 2024 would have to return to national duty for the home series against Pakistan, which begins on May 22. England’s team managing director, Rob Key, stated that captain Jos Buttler supported English players pulling out of the IPL playoffs.

Jos Buttler, Phil Salt to Miss Pakistan Series

According to a report in the Times of India, franchises are not willing to release their English players at this stage, citing the ECB’s earlier commitment to their availability for the entire tournament, which was assured before the IPL auction in December last year.

“The franchises are in no mood to release their England players at this stage of the tournament, as they had planned accordingly at the auction. Talks are on between the BCCI and the ECB to resolve this issue,” a source was quoted as saying by TOI.

“Yes, the BCCI has taken it up (with the ECB). I hope the ECB keeps their commitment they made before the auction. This type of ad-hoc withdrawal of players will come with consequences,” another source added.

If the franchises can convince the England Cricket Board, English players may miss the first couple of games against Pakistan in the upcoming T20 series to participate in the playoffs. Notably, Philip Salt and Jos Buttler, top openers for Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals, will be crucial players for both franchises.

England’s squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024:

Jos Buttler (c/wk), Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Jonathan Bairstow, Harry Brook, Sam Curran, Ben Duckett, Tom Hartley, Will Jacks, Chris Jordan, Liam Livingstone, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Reece Topley, and Mark Wood.