Breaking News: Jos Buttler To Miss UAE Leg Of IPL 2021; Glenn Phillips Added As Replacement

Rajasthan Royals opener Jos Buttler will be missing the second leg of the IPL 2021, as he and his partner, Louise, are expecting the birth of their second child during that time, the franchise confirmed on Saturday. New Zealander Glenn Phillips is announced as his replacement for rest of the season.

The tournament, which was suspended mid-way in May, is set to resume on September 19 in the UAE. Royals won 3 matches and lost 4 in the first half of the season.

The loss of Jos Buttler is a massive blow to the franchise who had already lost the services of Jofra Archer. The England speedster pulled out of the India leg of IPL 2021 due to a finger and elbow injury. He then underwent surgery.

But his elbow injury has re-surfaced and now Archer has been ruled out of cricket for the entire year – he will miss the T20 World Cup and the Ashes as well.

Another superstar player in all-rounder Ben Stokes is also likely to pull out of the UAE leg. Stokes is currently on a mental-health break – he withdrew himself from the ongoing Test series against India to focus on his mental well being. Stokes played just one match in the first half of IPL 2021, where he sustained a finger injury while fielding and had to return back home.

“Jos Buttler will not be part of the remainder of #IPL2021, as he and Louise are expecting a second child soon. We wish them well, and can’t wait for the newest member of the #RoyalsFamily,” the franchise tweeted.

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Glenn Phillips to replace Jos Buttler

Jos Buttler has been the man in form in white-ball cricket. He hammered the Indian bowlers in the games prior to the IPL. Then, before the IPL was suspended, the right-hander smashed 254 runs in 7 games at a strike rate of 153.01, including a century against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Royals’ last game.

New Zealand batsman Glenn Phillips has been roped in as Jos Buttler’s replacement for the remainder of the season. The 24-year-old has a heap of T20 experience: he has played 134 T20 matches, scored 3744 runs.

He recently smashed a century against West Indies, and a fifty against Pakistan; he will take good form from The Hundred in the IPL. Phillips has been selected in New Zealand’s 15-man squad for the T20 World Cup.

Here we go confirmed! ?

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— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) A<!---->u<!---->g<!---->u<!---->s<!---->t<!----> <!---->2<!---->1<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

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