IPL 2021: Rajasthan Royals name West Indies duo as replacements for Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes

Rajasthan Royals (RR) have announced their final set of replacement players for the remaining matches of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Along with the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), the men in pink were the most affected side in terms of the player withdrawals as both teams had to sign four replacements.

Having earlier announced New Zealand batsman Glenn Phillips and World No 1 T20I bowlers Tabraiz Shamsi as replacements for Jofra Archer and Andrew Tye respectively, the Royals were looking for two more players to replace the likes of Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes.

Now, on Tuesday, the Royals announced the two players, Evin Lewis and Oshane Thomas. Lewis, who has played for the Mumbai Indians previously made his debut in the IPL in 2018 and last played in the league in 2019. Hew went unsold in the 2020 and 2021 IPL player auctions but now has got another chance to feature in the lucrative league.

Lewis replaces Jos Buttler in the squad for the remainder of #IPL2021. 

— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) August 31, 2021

Lewis scored 430 runs in 16 games at an average of 26.88 including two half-centuries. Lewis, who has been in sensational form in the format playing for the West Indies and for St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in the CPL, would be looking to make his mark if he gets his opportunity before the T20 World Cup in the same country.

Thomas, who made his debut in the IPL with the same franchise in 2019 returns after a year as he didn't feature in any of the games in the 2020 edition of the IPL after he was picked up again in the auction by the Royals having let go of him before the 2020 player auction.

That's #DeadlineDay done! 

OT joins the Royals in the UAE as a replacement for Ben Stokes.

— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) August 31, 2021

Thomas, who is currently plying his trade for the Royals' sister franchise Barbados Royals in the CPL has impressed one and all with his control and wickets-taking ability in the first few games.

Rajasthan Royals are currently in fifth place on the points table with three wins in the seven games they have played and will be looking for the final push from their players now after having signed the players required to give them a crack at the qualification.