Jos Buttler, Four England Players Miss IPL Playoffs Amid ODI Series Clash

Jos Buttler, Will Jacks, and Jacob Bethell face a significant clash between their IPL 2025 playoff commitments and England's ODI series against the West Indies, scheduled concurrently from May 29 to June 3. The IPL was suspended due to India-Pakistan tensions but is set to resume on May 17, with playoffs and finals overlapping England's international fixtures. While the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) initially granted No Objection Certificates based on the original IPL schedule, they now must reassess player availability due to the revised dates, balancing support for the IPL with national team obligations. Buttler, playing for Gujarat Titans who top the IPL standings, alongside Jacks and Bethell, key players for their franchises, are expected to participate in league matches before returning to England for the ODIs. The ECB continues to work closely with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and IPL organizers to manage this scheduling conflict, recognizing the complexities for centrally-contracted players. This dilemma highlights the ongoing tension between franchise cricket commitments and international duties in the evolving cricket calendar.