England white-ball skipper Jos Buttler was astonishingly released before the mega auction of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 by Rajasthan Royals (RR). Jos Buttler has been an integral part of RR over the past couple of years. Perhaps, this decision by RR franchsie was taken as in IPL 2024, Buttler left IPL during play-offs phase for T20I series against Pakistan
The Jaipur-based franchise retained five capped players – Sanju Samson (18 crore), Yashasvi Jaisawal (18 crore), Riyan Parag (14 crore), Dhruv Jurel (14 crore) and Shimron Hetmyer (11 crore). They also retained Sandeep Sharma (4 crore) as their only uncapped player ahead of the mega auction of IPL 2025.
Aakash Chopra confused by RR leaving out Jos Buttler
Aakash Chopra discussed about the Indian Premier League (IPL) retentions in a video shared on his YouTube channel ‘Aaskash Chopra’. He also expressed his surprise about Hetmyer and even Riyan Parag being among the Rajasthan Royals’ favourite contenders for retentions ahead of Jos Buttler.
“Rajasthan Royals was a team that had a lot of players to be retained. Whoever they would have left would have been unhappy. There are questions for sure. The three names that seemed would definitely stay included Sanju Samson, who is the captain, and Yashasvi Jaiswal. It was known that these two would 100 percent stay,” he said.
“It was assumed that Riyan Parag would also stay and he stayed as well, although you thought Jos Buttler would be retained before Riyan Parag. Jos wasn’t retained and Shimron Hetmyer was retained. What is the logic? You let Jos Buttler go and you don’t have an RTM left as well,” Chopra added.
Aakash Chopra also pointed out that Jos Buttler has played many match-winning knocks for RR. He even played good knocks when he was not at his best.
“I admit that Jos Buttler’s last two years haven’t been that good but when he played badly, he scored two centuries, and both in winning causes. Whenever Jos does well, he wins the match, but they let him go. It seems like Jos is their global brand ambassador. He plays for them for the Paarl Royals as well. So you assumed this partnership would continue. I was very surprised they let Jos go,” he observed.
It should be noted that Buttler has scored 359 runs, including two centuries in 11 outings in IPL 2024, with an good average of 39.89, while Shimron Hetmyer failed to mark his presence in IPL 2024 by just scoring 113 runs at an averag eof 22.60 in nine innings.
They are unlikely to get Yuzvendra Chahal back in the auction- Aakash Chopra
Chopra also questioned the Rajasthan Royals in the same video about their plans behind releasing Yuzvendra Chahal and also opined that they won’t be able to get him back at any cost. Chahal picked up 18 wickets at an economy rate of 9.41 in 15 innings in IPL 2024.
“Everyone believed they would definitely try to retain Yuzi Chahal, and even if he goes they would save the Right to Match card for him. At times, you think that you will keep him for the Right to Match card as no spinner might go for 11 crores. Fair play, but they let him go and didn’t keep the RTM card as well. You won’t get him again because you have spent a lot of money,” he said.
The former Indian batter was not convinced about the decision of Rajasthan Royals to hold back Dhruv Jurel for hopping 14 crore.
“You retained Dhruv Jurel. It’s not about his quality, I love the kid, I was saying that he will be one of the more expensive players, but 14 crores, I am not sure. I would have kept the RTM for him as well, that I would let him go and buy him back again if required,” he added.
Aakash Chopra also highlights that they had good team in previous seasons but they will be in big trouble to get the combinations right. He also remarked that they missed a trick in their retention process and failed to utilise their resources.