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 best way after their super-over victory against the Rajasthan Royals on Wednesday.
With a brand new era in white-ball cricket under the leadership of Harry Brook on the horizon, we take a take a look at how a few of England’s star players have fared in India to date.
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 remainder 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 having fun with his cricket again and fidgeting with more freedom following a difficult few months.
Batting at number three for his latest franchise, he has registered two half-centuries – most notably an unbeaten 39-ball 73 in a successful chase of 170 against RCB – in addition to two scores within the thirties as Gujarat Titans currently occupy 2nd position.
7 matches – 7 wickets at 35, Economy: 9.61
It was a nightmare begin to the campaign for Archer as he bowled the costliest spell in IPL history, conceding 76 runs off his 4 overs as SRH racked up a mammoth 286-6.
It didn’t get a lot 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 among Rajasthan’s more economical bowlers, claiming best figures of 3-25 within the win against Punjab Kings, in addition to dismissing key batters equivalent to 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 highest of the order for RCB who’re hoping this might be the 12 months they will win their first IPL title.
A 31-ball 56 against his former side within the opening game of the tournament was followed by two rapid scores of 32 and 37, either side of a few quieter knocks, before a destructive 65 off 33 balls in his most up-to-date game against Rajasthan Royals which included six sixes as RCB comfortably chased a goal 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 to date been an ever-present for RCB though has did not make a serious impact.
His best performance with the bat got here against Gujarat Titans where he made 54 off 40 balls to assist RCB post a good rating after the lack of early wickets but has otherwise not faced greater than nine deliveries in an innings.
Used sporadically with the ball, his only wickets got here 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 to date as he looks to re-establish himself within the England white-ball setup.
Having joined Mumbai Indians within 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 rating of twenty-two which got here 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 of 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 costliest player within the 2023 auction only appearing in the primary two games of the tournament for the side currently on the foot of the table.
On each outings, he failed to succeed in double figures with the bat and his bowling went in excess of 11 runs per over and not using a wicket.
JAMIE OVERTON (CHENNAI SUPER KINGS)
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 attending to face 4 deliveries in a decent run chase against Rajasthan Royals in the identical game he bowled two overs with the brand 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 previous England international has not been a daily for his latest franchise, playing just 3 times, in one among which he was not required to bat or bowl.
His only time in the center with the bat saw him run out for five off 12 balls, though his 2-23 off 4 overs in the primary innings had helped KKR restrict Rajasthan Royals to a modest total by removing the damaging Yashasvi Jaiswal and Nitish Rana.
