By Dom Harris
The Indian Premier League is in full swing as we approach the halfway stage of the league phase, with the Delhi Capitals leading the way after their super-over victory against the Rajasthan Royals on Wednesday.
With a new era in white-ball cricket under the leadership of Harry Brook on the horizon, we take a look at how some of England‘s star players have fared in India so far.
Of the 10-player English contingent, Jacob Bethell and Reece Topley have yet to make an appearance for Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Mumbai Indians, respectively, whilst the rest have experienced contrasting fortunes.
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JOS BUTTLER (GUJARAT TITANS)
6 matches – 218 runs at 43.60, Strike Rate: 157.97
After stepping down as England white-ball captain, Buttler appears to be enjoying his cricket again and playing with more freedom following a difficult few months.
Batting at number three for his new franchise, he has registered two half-centuries – most notably an unbeaten 39-ball 73 in a successful chase of 170 against RCB – as well as two scores in the thirties as Gujarat Titans currently occupy 2nd position.
JOFRA ARCHER (RAJASTHAN ROYALS)
7 matches – 7 wickets at 35, Economy: 9.61
It was a nightmare start to the campaign for Archer as he bowled the most expensive spell in IPL history, conceding 76 runs off his four overs as SRH racked up a mammoth 286-6.
It did not get much better in his next outing either where the KKR batters took 33 off his 2.3 overs.
Since then though, Archer has responded impressively to be one of Rajasthan’s more economical bowlers, claiming best figures of 3-25 in the win against Punjab Kings, as well as dismissing key batters such as Shreyas Iyer, Shubman Gill and KL Rahul in recent games.
PHIL SALT (ROYAL CHALLENGERS BENGALURU)
6 matches – 208 runs at 34.67, Strike Rate: 185.71
England opener Salt was an instrumental figure in KKR’s success in 2024 but has now struck up a formidable partnership with Virat Kohli at the top of the order for RCB who are hoping this will be the year they can win their first IPL title.
A 31-ball 56 against his former side in the opening game of the tournament was followed by two rapid scores of 32 and 37, either side of a couple of quieter knocks, before a destructive 65 off 33 balls in his most recent game against Rajasthan Royals which included six sixes as RCB comfortably chased a target of 174.
LIAM LIVINGSTONE (ROYAL CHALLENGERS BENGALURU)
6 matches – 83 runs at 20.75, Strike Rate: 133.87, 2 wickets at 38, Economy: 8.44
Like Salt, Livingstone has so far been an ever-present for RCB though has failed to make a serious impact.
His best performance with the bat came against Gujarat Titans where he made 54 off 40 balls to help RCB post a respectable score after the loss of early wickets but has otherwise not faced more than nine deliveries in an innings.
Used sporadically with the ball, his only wickets came in a 50-run victory against CSK, taking 2-28 which included the dismissal of England teammate Sam Curran.
WILL JACKS (MUMBAI INDIANS)
5 matches – 55 runs at 13.75, Strike Rate: 110, 1 wicket at 42, Economy: 8.40
It has been a disappointing campaign for Jacks so far as he looks to re-establish himself in the England white-ball setup.
Having joined Mumbai Indians in the auction after impressing with RCB in 2024, Jacks has played in all but one game, primarily as a number three, but has only managed a top score of 22 which came against his former team.
His off-spin has only been called upon on two occasions, bowling compatriot Sam Curran for his solitary wicket in figures of 1-32 in their opening match against CSK.
SAM CURRAN (CHENNAI SUPER KINGS)
2 matches – 12 runs, Strike Rate: 54.55, 0 wickets, Economy: 11.75
The all-rounder’s return to CSK has been a disappointing one, with the most expensive player in the 2023 auction only appearing in the first two games of the tournament for the side currently at the foot of the table.
On both outings, he failed to reach double figures with the bat and his bowling went in excess of 11 runs per over without a wicket.
2 matches – 11 runs, Strike Rate: 275, 0 wickets, Economy: 13.50
The hard-hitting all-rounder has also only featured twice for CSK in his maiden IPL season and with little joy, only getting to face four deliveries in a tight run chase against Rajasthan Royals in the same game he bowled two overs with the new ball and conceded 30 runs.
MOEEN ALI (KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS)
3 matches – 5 runs, Strike Rate: 41.67, 3 wickets at 14.33, Economy: 5.38
The former England international has not been a regular for his new franchise, playing just three times, in one of which he was not required to bat or bowl.
His only time in the middle with the bat saw him run out for five off 12 balls, though his 2-23 off four overs in the first innings had helped KKR restrict Rajasthan Royals to a modest total by removing the dangerous Yashasvi Jaiswal and Nitish Rana.
