Internet Desk: England fiery all-rounder Ben Stokes and wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler will miss the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2017 play-offs for their respective sides as they will go back to England to join their national side for a three-match ODI series against South Africa, which starts from May 24. Before the start of the bilateral series, England will play two practice games on May 19 and 21, and both of them are expected to join the squad before those matches. The IPL play-offs will be played from May 16 to 19, and the final will be played at Hyderabad on May 21.
According to the reports, Stokes will return to England for his national duties on May 14. The deadline for England players to join the squad in a training camp in Spain is May 15. Mumbai Indians opener Jos Buttler may have to leave the IPL by May 14, after former England skipper and current ECB Director of Cricket Andrew Strauss declined any possibility of an exception by refusing him to stay with the two time IPL champions for the play-offs. According to a report in The Mirror, Strauss has made it clear that he wants Stokes, Buttler and Chris Woakes to leave IPL on May 14.
Except Stokes and Buttler, Woakes, too has done well for Kolkata Knight Riders(KKR) this season. He has been an important member of England’s limited-overs team and will be required to join the squad ahead of the South Africa series. While Mumbai have already made it to the playoffs, RPS and KKR are almost there. Needless to say, it will be a huge loss to all the three franchises when the trio leaves IPL.
Earlier, David Miller and Hashim Amla left for South Africa on Monday to join their national side for the upcoming ODI series against England.