Rajasthan Royals (RR), one of the franchises in the Indian Premier League (IPL), is reportedly planning to present a lucrative multi-year contract to England’s limited-overs captain, Jos Buttler, according to a report in the British newspaper ‘Telegraph’. The offer aims to secure Buttler’s services for an extended period, potentially leading to a significant change in the cricketing landscape.
The rise of private T20 leagues, in which many IPL franchises hold either partial or full stakes, has raised excitement as well as concerns that top international players may choose to forgo their central contracts in favor of signing exclusive deals with individual franchises, similar to the structure seen in football clubs.
The report suggests that RR is keen to secure Buttler’s commitment for a longer period, although the offer has not been formally tabled, and it remains unclear whether the T20 World Cup-winning captain intends to accept the deal. While the exact financial details of the proposed contract are undisclosed, it is reported to be a multi-million-pound agreement.
“England’s white-ball captain Jos Buttler is set to be offered a landmark four-year deal by his Indian premier League franchise Rajasthan Royals. It is understood that the offer to Buttler is yet to be formally tabled, and its unclear whether the T20 World Cup winning captain intends to accept the deal,” the report said.
Since joining the Royals in 2018, Buttler has been a prolific run-scorer for the franchise, amassing five centuries and 18 half-centuries in 71 matches. He has played a vital role in their campaign, consistently delivering impactful performances. In addition to his association with RR in the IPL, Buttler also represents the Paarl Royals, a team owned by RR, in South Africa’s SA20 league. Furthermore, RR owns the Barbados Royals in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) as well.
The emergence of various T20 leagues worldwide has had a significant impact on international cricket, with franchises offering long-term contracts to attract top players. Recent reports have also hinted at the Mumbai Indians (MI), the five-time IPL champions, considering a multi-year contract for England’s star fast bowler Jofra Archer, who played just five games due to injuries in the 2023 edition.
