IPL 2020: Jos Buttler to miss RR's opening game vs CSK; serving mandatory quarantine period with family

England and Australia players arrived late in the UAE after the conclusion of the bilateral series. But the fact that they only moved from one bio-bubble to other led to their quarantine period being reduced to only 36 hours. However, England wicket-keeper Jos Buttler seems to have gone out of the bubble to meet his family and is set to miss the Rajasthan Royals’ first game against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Tuesday.

He has arrived in the UAE with his family and will now have to serve a six-day quarantine. He and his family will also have to test negative for COVID-19 twice to be available for the team’s second match. The rest of the players, however, seem set to play with the Royals’ skipper Steve Smith to take the field after missing the ODI series against Australia after the ball hit his helmet during the net session.

Cricbuzz confirmed the news of Jos Buttler missing the opening game which might open the door for David Miller to play as the fourth overseas player in the line-up. This might also lead to Yashasvi Jaiswal opening the innings along with Robin Uthappa.

Jos Buttler had gone to meet his family during Australia T20Is too

Jos Buttler had left the bio-bubble during the T20I series against Australia too to be with his family for few days. However, he joined the team for the ODIs after testing negative for the virus. When it comes to the T20 format, he seems to be in great touch and played a crucial role for England in helping them win the T20I series.

Even for the Royals, the wicketkeeper-batsman did well last season. He had scored 311 runs in only 8 matches while opening the innings at a strike-rate of 151.70 with three half-centuries to his name. His absence will be a blow for the Royals and they will have to hope for the other batsmen to step up.

Their opponents, CSK, on the other hand, have already won their opening game beating the Mumbai Indians (MI) on Saturday and will be looking to continue their winning run.