Leg and Off: Should Rajasthan Royals retain Jos Buttler ahead of IPL 2025 auction? 

As the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction nears, Rajasthan Royals face critical decisions regarding their player retentions. One of the most important choices for them centers around Jos Buttler.

The English white-ball skipper is one of the most explosive batters in IPL history. With the new player retention rules allowing teams to retain up to six players, Rajasthan Royals must decide if Buttler remains vital to their plans while they look to build a squad capable of winning them a second title.

Jos Buttler has been one of Rajasthan Royals' batting mainstays for several seasons now, delivering match-winning performances and forming a formidable partnership with Yashasvi Jaiswal at the top. Buttler has had a profound impact on the franchise, particularly in 2022 when his exceptional form led the Royals to the finals.

His ability to score quick runs, take the attack to the opposition upfront, and control games with his batting makes him one of the most sought-after players in the league.

However, with limited retention spots and a competitive auction coming up, should the Royals prioritize Buttler among their retentions?

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Why Rajasthan Royals should retain Jos Buttler

# Consistent performance and leadership

Jos Buttler has been one of Rajasthan Royals' most consistent performers over the past few seasons. In the 2022 season, he amassed 863 runs, slamming four centuries. For his explosive batting that season, he also won the Orange Cap, showing his ability to win games single-handedly.

In IPL 2024, Buttler scored 359 runs from 11 innings, including two centuries at an average of 39.89 and a strike-rate of 140.78.

Beyond his batting highs, Buttler can also be a key figure in the leadership group. With his experience as England's white-ball captain, he can provide crucial inputs on strategy and decision-making, making him an invaluable asset.

Buttler can also guide youngsters like Jaiswal and Riyan Parag. Retaining the 34-year-old would ensure that the Royals have a senior player who can mentor the squad and also step in as a leader if needed.

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# Explosive opening partnership with Yashasvi Jaiswal

One of the defining strengths of Rajasthan Royals in recent seasons has been the opening combination of Jos Buttler and Yashasvi Jaiswal. The pair has consistently provided solid starts, with Buttler’s attacking style complementing Jaiswal’s technical skills. This partnership has become one of the most successful in the league, with their ability to set the tone early in matches often putting Rajasthan in strong positions.

Losing Buttler would disrupt this synergy, and the franchise might struggle to find a replacement who can match his consistency and match-winning ability. Retaining Buttler would allow the Royals to maintain this potent partnership and build their batting strategy around it for IPL 2025.

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# Proven match-winner

Jos Buttler's ability to win matches for Rajasthan Royals has been proven time and again. He has shown that he can turn games in their favor with explosive innings and crucial knocks. His adaptability across different formats and conditions makes him an asset in the highly competitive league. Additionally, Buttler’s familiarity with the Royals' setup and his experience on the international stage makes him a player they can rely on in high-pressure situations.

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Why Rajasthan Royals might consider releasing Jos Buttler

Despite Buttler's consistent performances, Rajasthan might consider letting him go into the auction pool. Buttler was certainly not at his best last season. The Royals might be tempted to release him and try to get him back for a lesser price given the retention and purse dynamics, freeing up other slots for key players.

With the emergence of young players like Jaiswal and Parag, the Royals need to evaluate whether retaining Buttler is a good strategy in the long term. They have a strong core of players like skipper Sanju Samson, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Trent Boult among others, who are also strong contenders for retention.

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In the end, Buttler's match-winning abilities, his partnership with Jaiswal at the top, and his leadership skills make him a prime retention ahead of the 2025 season. His performances in the past few seasons have been instrumental to their success and retaining him would ensure stability at the top.

However, the Royals will need to weigh the potential cost and retention strategy carefully, keeping in mind their long-term goals and the depth of their squad. It seems likely that Buttler will continue to be a key figure in the Royals' setup.