Why are Jos Buttler and Ravichandran Ashwin not playing today against PBKS? RR captain Sanju Samson reveals reason

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Jos Buttler and Ravichandran Ashwin are not playing today against Punjab Kings as they are not match fit. Rajasthan Royals (RR) opener Jos Buttler " is not hundred percent", while Ashwin is also carrying a niggle.

Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson named Rovman Powell as the replacement for Jos Buttler, while Tanush Kotian got a chance to play in the absence of Ashwin. Mumbai all-rounder Kotian got in the Rajasthan squad as a replacement for Adam Zampa. The off-spinner was named Man of the Series in Ranji Trophy 2023-24.

"We'll bowl first, it looks like a decent wicket to bowl first. We've made a target to not think about the goal, focus on the process, work on building the team and we're doing well. A lot of challenges outside as well, we've many players missing from tonight's game. 90% of the game was good - Jos isn't 100%, Ash bhai is having a niggle, so Rovman and Kotian come into the eleven," Sanju Samson said at the toss in Mullanpur.

The absence of the two experienced players would hurt Rajasthan. Jos Buttler returned to form with a hundred against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) recently. Ashwin has also been promoted up the batting order this season. Sanju Samson is very likely to open with Yashasvi Jasiwal in the absence of Jos Buttler.

Rajasthan Royals are currently the top-ranked team in the IPL 2024. They won four consecutive matches before losing in a thriller against Gujarat Titans (GT) by three wickets in their last match.