Jos Buttler, England’s white-ball captain, took to social media to share a heartfelt thank you to the Rajasthan Royals (RR) after the franchise decided to part ways with him ahead of the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) mega auction.
In an unexpected decision, RR chose not to retain Buttler, opting instead to keep players like Sanju Samson and Yashasvi Jaiswal, both valued at ₹18 crore, along with Riyan Parag (₹14 crore), Dhruv Jurel (₹14 crore), Shimron Hetmyer (₹11 crore), and Sandeep Sharma (₹4 crore).
Now, as Buttler enters the auction, his impressive skills are sure to attract interest from multiple teams. However, with only ₹41 crore remaining in their budget, it seems unlikely that the Rajasthan Royals will be able to bring him back.
Jos Buttler Bids Emotional Farewell to Rajasthan Royals
England captain Jos Buttler shared an emotional farewell message to the Rajasthan Royals after the franchise released him during the IPL 2025 retention period. The Royals opted to retain their Indian core, announcing six players for the upcoming season.
Captain Sanju Samson and rising star Yashasvi Jaiswal were both retained for ₹18 crore each, while youngsters Riyan Parag and Dhruv Jurel were kept for ₹14 crore. Uncapped player Sandeep Sharma made the retention list at ₹4 crore, and West Indies power-hitter Shimron Hetmyer was the only overseas player retained at ₹11 crore.
Buttler, a key player for the Rajasthan Royals since 2018, not being retained came as a significant surprise. His explosive batting and ability to perform under pressure had been crucial in leading the team to many victories over the years.
In his heartfelt Instagram post, Buttler reflected on his journey with the Royals, stating, “If this is the end, thank you Rajasthan Royals and everyone involved with the franchise for seven incredible seasons. 2018 marked the beginning of the best years of my cricket career, and many of my fondest memories were made in a pink shirt over the last six years. Thank you for welcoming my family and me with open arms. I could write so much more, but let’s leave it there.”
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Why Jos Buttler Was Not Retained?
Jos Buttler was released by the Rajasthan Royals as part of the IPL 2025 retention announcements, where none of the ten franchises retained any English players. Despite having a solid performance in IPL 2024, where he scored 359 runs in 11 matches, including two centuries and a strike rate of 140.78, the Royals opted to go in a different direction for the upcoming season.
This decision is reflective of a broader trend, as several prominent England players—such as Jonny Bairstow, Moeen Ali, Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran, Phil Salt, and Will Jacks—were also released by their respective franchises during the retention period.
The lack of English player retentions may suggest a shift in strategy among the teams, potentially focusing on building their squads around different players or nationalities.
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FAQs
Q.1. Why was Jos Buttler released by the Rajasthan Royals?
Ans. Jos Buttler was released as part of the IPL 2025 retention announcements, where no English players were retained by any franchise.
Q.2. What were Buttler’s performance statistics in IPL 2024?
Ans. In IPL 2024, Buttler scored 359 runs in 11 matches, with two centuries and a strike rate of 140.78.
Q.3. Who were the players retained by Rajasthan Royals?
Ans. Rajasthan Royals retained Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer, and Sandeep Sharma for the upcoming season.
Q.4. How long did Buttler play for Rajasthan Royals?
Ans. Jos Buttler played for the Rajasthan Royals from 2018 to 2024, making significant contributions during his tenure.
Q.5. What does Buttler’s farewell message say?
Ans. Buttler expressed gratitude for his time with the Royals, highlighting cherished memories and the support he received from the franchise and its fans.
