With pacer Jofra Archer set to miss the cricketing action for the rest of the year, Rajasthan Royals have been dealt with another body blow as their star opener batsman Jos Buttler will not take part in the second leg of the 2021 edition of the IPL as he and his wife Louise are expecting their second child.
Buttler, who scored his maiden century in T20s in the Royals' last match against the Sunrisers Hyderabad, before the suspension of the 2021 IPL in May has left a big hole in their batting line-up especially in the top-order and with difficulty over Ben Stokes' availability, RR needed to replace him with someone of pedigree and they did.
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. ???? pic.twitter.com/rHfeQTmvvg
? Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) August 21, 2021
The Royals have roped in New Zealand's hard-hitting Glenn Phillips as Buttler's replacement and this is the first replacement player signing for men in pink.
Here we go confirmed! ???? See you soon in Pink, Glenn. ????#HallaBol | #RoyalsFamily | #IPL2021 pic.twitter.com/ZBlV161oJf
? Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) August 21, 2021
Phillips, who took the international stage by a storm last year hitting the fastest T20I century for a Kiwi in just 46 balls has been plying his trade in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) for Jamaica Tallwahs for a few years now and recently featured in The Hundred for Welsh Fire and played a knock fo 80 runs off just 35 balls in their final league game.
This will be Phillips' first IPL season and the Royals will be expecting a massive season from the Kiwi, alongside the likes of Liam Livingstone, who is in the form of his life and domestic Indian players. Earlier Royal Challengers Bangalore announced three new player replacement signings in the form of Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera and Tim David, who replaced Finn Allen, Adam Zampa and Daniel Sams in the squad.
Dinesh Parihar: Meet the man with Jan Seva as his only mission in life!
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan wishes Rakhi to fans
LK Advani condoles the passing away of veteran politician