IPL 2021: Rajasthan Royals name Evin Lewis and Oshane Thomas as replacements for Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes

Rajasthan Royals have roped in the services of Evin Lewis and Oshane Thomas as replacements for Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes.

Jos Buttler will miss the second leg of the Indian Premier League as he is expecting a second child with his wife. Buttler will also miss the fourth Test match against India due to the same reason.

On the other hand, Ben Stokes had earlier taken an indefinite break from the game to manage his mental well-being and give more time to his finger injury.

Evin Lewis has played for five-time champions Mumbai Indians and scored 430 runs in 16 IPL matches. Lewis can open the innings for the inaugural champions and he is known to hit the ground running.

On the other hand, the lanky fast bowler Oshane Thomas had played four IPL matches for Rajasthan Royals and had scalped five wickets. Thomas can trouble the opposition with his extra pace and he can generate extra bounce because of his height.

Meanwhile, earlier Rajasthan Royals had signed South African and the World no.1 bowler Tabraiz Shamsi as a replacement for Andrew Tye whereas they had roped in Glenn Phillips as a replacement for Jofra Archer.

Thus, the Royals will have their work cut out in the second season as they will depend on the shoulders of new players, which they have signed.

Furthermore, Sanju Samson, the RR captain, will have a major role to play if the Royals are to qualify for the playoff stages.

The Royals, who are placed fifth in the standings with three wins from seven matches, resume their UAE leg of IPL 2021 with a clash against Punjab Kings on September 21 in Dubai.

Rajasthan Royals will need to come up with a collective effort in the second phase of the IPL to go all the way in the competition.