Defending champions England won its second T20 World Cup title by defeating India in the semi-finals. And Pakistan in the final. On Tuesday, Jos Buttler’s England side announced their 15-man preliminary squad for the showpiece event. Fit-again pacer Jofra Archer and rookie all-rounder Tom Hartley have featured in the 15-member preliminary T20 World Cup squad.
The England Cricket Board also announced the return of T20 World Cup-bound players in the Indian Premier League on Tuesday. The apex board released its statement for England’s upcoming T20 series against Pakistan. That will be underway on May 22 at Headingley.
“Selected players, currently playing in the Indian Premier League, will return in time for the series against Pakistan, which gets underway at Headingley on Wednesday 22 May 2024,” the ECB stated.
How Can England Players’ Absence Impact IPL
The release of the ECB’s statement means that the IPL teams will be playing without the services of English players in the playoffs.
The likes of Phil Salt (Kolkata Knight Riders), Jos Buttler (Rajasthan Royals), Moeen Ali (Chennai Super Kings), Sam Curran (Punjab Kings) etc will be out of action for their respective teams.
The English players have played a pivotal role in the journey of their respective teams. Phil Salt has been one of the biggest strengths of KKR. He scored 200+ run targets, being the team’s highest run-scorer (392 runs in 9 matches). Alongside Sunil Narine, Jos Buttler has been the vital force of table-toppers RR in chasing high scores.
Major Roles of England Players in IPL Teams
Teams like PBKS and RCB might have a greater impact if England players are not available in their camps in the later stages. While the playoffs chances for RCB (who have Will Jacks and Reece Topley on their side) look bleak.
PBKS have been fairly reliant on Jonny Bairstow, and Liam Livingstone. And also on skipper Sam Curran to stay alive in the playoffs race.
Following the Pakistan series, the England team will fly to the West Indies. On May 31, they’ve their first clash against Scotland at the Kensington Oval, Barbados on June 4.
Also Read: Afghanistan Announce T20 World Cup 2024 Squad
About the Author
Zartash Zulfiqar is a passionate cricket writer with a love for cricket that shines through in every word. From match analyses to player profiles, she delivers insightful commentary that resonates with fans worldwide. Stay tuned for the latest from the world of cricket, brought to you by Zartash.
Check out all the great content Total Apex Sports has to offer. Check us out on X @TotalApexSports and our other sites: Total Apex Sports Bets and Total Apex Fantasy Sports.
