No Jos Buttler, Tom Kohler-Cadmore In; RR's Probable XI For IPL 2024 Match Vs PBKS

Jos Buttler has left RR camp for T20 World Cup preparations (Associated Press)Jos Buttler has left RR camp for T20 World Cup preparations (Associated Press)

Rajasthan Royals will aim to secure a place in Qualifier 1 of IPL 2024 by winning against Punjab Kings on Wednesday (May 15) in Match 65 of the ongoing edition at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati. If they achieve the feat, the Sanju Samson-led side will face Kolkata Knight Riders in the next round for a direct entry into the final.

However, the task is not going to be an easy one for the Royals, as their prolific opener Jos Buttler has returned to England to prepare for the T20 World Cup 2024. Needless to say, the inaugural edition champions will badly miss Buttler at this business end of the competition, although many franchises are set to face the same heat for the same reason.

So, who can replace Buttler in the playing XI? The Kumar Sangakkara-led think tank has two options; either they opt to play an extra bowler and promote Samson to the top, or they can draft Tom Kohler-Cadmore, another exciting English batter, straight to open along with Yashasvi Jaiswal.

Ideally, the Royals should take the second option, as bringing in an extra foreign bowler could hamper their balance in the lineup. Instead, they should recall Shimron Hetmyer in place of Shubham Dubey. With that, Kohler-Cadmore, Hetmyer, Boult, and impact substitute Nandre Burger will become their four overseas options.

Among others, no player is expected to be dropped or sidelined unless they suffer an injury. With the playoffs approaching, they won't like to take any risks in the coming days.

Rajasthan Royals' Probable Playing XI Vs Punjab Kings

Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Sanju Samson (c & wk), Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer, Dhruv Jurel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Trent Boult, Avesh Khan, Sandeep Sharma, Yuzvendra Chahal

Impact Sub - Nandre Burger In For Tom Kohler-Cadmore