Cricketers have a habit of choosing money over country. Players from the West Indies, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, England, South Africa, and Australia have preferred playing in T20 leagues over representing their respective countries. However, Jos Buttler is different. The veteran has decided to skip SA20 2025 to play for England.
He will not return to play for Paarl Royals and thanked the franchise. The T20 league will run from January 9 to February 8, 2025, and England is scheduled to play five T20Is and three ODIs between January 22 and February 12 in India. Despite being under pressure due to England’s failure in the 2023 ODI World Cup and the 2024 T20 World Cup, Buttler is expected to remain the white-ball captain until the 2025 Champions Trophy.
“This is a message to the Paarl Royals fans,” Buttler said on Royals’ X account. “I am disappointed that I won’t be coming back to the SA20 this year. There are some England games on and my full focus will be there. It’s a shame I won’t be coming back to the tournament. I have got a lot of love for the tournament. Huge amount of love for the Paarl Royals and especially the Paarl Royals fans. I wish you all the best in the competition and hopefully, I can come back in the future.”
Buttler scored 408 runs at an average of 40.80 in SA20 2024.
The Royals have signed Dinesh Karthik as a replacement for Jos Buttler. The Indian wicket-keeper announced his retirement from international cricket and IPL after Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s exit from the plays in the 17th season.
