Inaugural season Premier League champions have brought in New Zealand’s Glenn Phillips to fill the huge void left by the absence of Jos Buttler for the UAE leg of the Indian Premier League 2021.
The aggressive Kiwi right-hand batsman scored 500 runs from his 12 innings in this English summer’s T20 Blast at a strike-rate of 163.40 while maintaining an average of 55.56. This was followed by another stand-out run in The Hundred where he made 214 runs at a strike-rate of 146.57.
Phillips, who was the second-highest run-scorer of the previous year’s Caribbean Premier League, was also one of the more exceptional performers from New Zealand’s bumper T20I season last summer. He made 366 runs from his 12 innings at a strike-rate of 184.84 and an average of 40.66.
As far as reward for performances go, Phillips’ maiden IPL gig is so richly deserved. Capable of doubling up as a wicketkeeper as well, the 24-year-old throws up great options for the RR team management depending on the surfaces and the opposition they face. Filling in for a player of Buttler’s calibre is a challenge that will certainly inspire Phillips.
Apart from Buttler, RR will also be without the services of their ace quick Jofra Archer and premier all-rounder Ben Stokes for the remainder of the competition.
Archer was recently ruled out from all cricket for the rest of the year after facing a reoccurrence of a stress fracture to his right elbow. He was unable to play the Indian leg of the competition as well, where his England teammate Stokes also took part in only a solitary game before breaking his finger in the field and getting ruled out.
Stokes is currently undergoing an indefinite break from the game to resolve mental health concerns. Last month, the all-rounder confirmed that he is fighting an inner battle and is not in the right headspace to take the field.
Placed fifth in the IPL 2021 points table with three wins and four losses, RR will resume their campaign on September 21 in Dubai against Punjab Kings.
