IPL 2018: 3 players who can replace Jos Buttler for Rajasthan Royal’s last league game

Rajasthan Royals will be without the services of in-form Jos Buttler for their last league game of the season against Royal Challengers Bangalore. The 27-year-old has been recalled to the England team for their first Test against Pakistan on 24th May. Buttler last played a Test match for England in December 2016 and was dropped from the squad after the tour of India.

It is a must-win game for the Rajasthan Royals as anything but a win will definitely knock them out of the competition. It is almost an impossible task for Rahane to replace Buttler, given his scintillating form. With five fifties in his last six games, he has single-handedly carried Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2018.

Having said that, Royals have players in their squad to step in and fill the void left by Buttler. On that note, let’s take a look at the three possible candidates who can replace the Englishman for the game against Royal Challengers.

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#1 Heinrich Klaasen

Klaasen needs to rise to the occasion on Saturday if he gets his chance

Rajasthan Royals bought Heinrich Klaasen as a replacement for their banned skipper Steve Smith. Klaasen was brilliant for the Proteas in the One Day Internationals and Twenty20I against India in February. He batted well in the middle order and even won a T20 game on his own.

The 26-year-old already played twice for Royals this season and even opened the batting once. Klaasen has played 51 T20 games in his career and scored more than 1000 runs. He averages almost 34 and has a strike rate of 146.

He is a versatile batsman who can play anywhere in the lineup. Also, his wicket keeping ability puts him as a front-runner to replace Buttler for their final league game.

#2 D’Arcy Short

D'Arcy Short is struggling in IPL 2018

One of Rajasthan Royals' star signing will have one final chance to redeem his disastrous Indian Premier League season. Arrived in India with a lot of hype and expectations, Short’s IPL campaign did not go well.

Big Bash League’s highest run-getter this season did not have the same luck in IPL. In 7 games this season, the Hobart Hurricanes opening batsman has scored only 115 runs. His average is a paltry 16 and the strike rate stands at a dismal 116.

Short is expected to take the field on Saturday. He will most likely open the batting and could be key to Royal’s playoff hopes. For Royal's sake, Warne would want the Aussie T20I opener to get back to his best.

#3 Prashant Chopra

Prashant Chopra made his IPL debut this season

Prashant Chopra may not be Royal’s preferred choice to replace Buttler, but it could happen. The Himachal batsman has been a consistent performer in the domestic circuit for quite some time.

He scored more than 1000 runs in the last domestic season, which includes a triple hundred in the Ranji Trophy. He already made one appearance for Royals this season but that did not end well.

The 25-year-old has good shot making abilities and could be a real asset at the top of the batting order. He opens the batting for Himachal Pradesh and could do the same for Royals as well.

He obviously has the potential, but, given the importance of the game, Royals may think twice before handing him a second chance this season.