IPL 2018: Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes laud Rajasthan Royals' family atmosphere upon departing for England

Sudhir Gupta 20:12 16/05/2018
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  • Stokes and Buttler have departed for England. Image - IPL/Twitter.

    Jos Buttler’s recall to the England Test side was a bittersweet moment for the Rajasthan Royals. The IPL franchise are involved in a five-way race for two playoff spots but will miss the services of the Englishman for their remaining games.

    Buttler has been almost single-handedly carrying the Royals with the bat with an incredible run of five consecutive half-centuries which came to an end in the side’s defeat to Kolkata Knight Riders on Tuesday.

    That match turned out to be the opener’s last for the team as he departed for England to join up with the Test squad for the series against Pakistan.

    In an emotional farewell message posted by Buttler on Instagram, the 27-year-old has praised the family atmosphere at the franchise.

    “A massive thank you to everyone involved in the very special Rajasthan Royals set up! What an amazing few weeks in India with some fantastic memories made on and off the pitch. Such a great changing room to be a part of and incredible family feel the franchise have developed. Have loved my time with everyone and I will be watching on Saturday as we make it through to the play offs,” Buttler wrote on his Instagram post.

    He isn’t the only England star to bid farewell to the team with all-rounder Ben Stokes too departing for London after being named in the Test squad.

    Though Stokes did not have the best of tournaments with both bat and ball, he insisted that he had given it his all.

    “Had a great time with Rajasthan Royals what a bunch of amazing people this franchise has, individually very disappointing but gave everything I had to give just wasn’t meant to be, hope we can get across the line tonight and make it through to the playoffs, would love to see these boys lifting the trophy at the end of the season as all the hard work put in by everyone deserves it,” Stokes wrote on his Instagram profile.

    Rajasthan Royals will take on Royal Challengers Bangalore at Jaipur on May 19 in their final league match.

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