Former England captain Michael Vaughan has criticized the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for recalling players from the Indian Premier League (IPL) to participate in the T20I series against Pakistan. The decision has sparked significant debate, as England players Will Jacks (Royal Challengers Bengaluru), Phil Salt (Kolkata Knight Riders), and Jos Buttler (Rajasthan Royals) were summoned back for international duty, potentially missing the IPL playoffs.
Vaughan, along with former Australia captain Adam Gilchrist, considers this a “missed opportunity.” Instead of competing in the IPL playoffs, these players were called back in time for the first T20I against Pakistan on May 22 in Headingley, which was ultimately washed out by rain.
“I think England missed a trick by sending all their players home,” Vaughan stated on the ‘Club Prairie Fire’ podcast. “Playing in the IPL playoffs, with its pressure, crowd, and expectations, is better preparation than a T20 game against Pakistan.”
Vaughan emphasized that his comments are not about prioritizing club cricket over international duty but rather about the type of preparation required for the upcoming T20 World Cup in June. He argued that the high-pressure environment of the IPL is invaluable. “This tournament (IPL) exposes players to immense pressure from fans, owners, and social media. It’s massive,” Vaughan said.
He added that keeping Jacks, Salt, and even Buttler in the IPL would have better prepared them for the World Cup than playing a solitary T20I at Headingley. “I’m not disrespecting Pakistan or the England side, but the standard here (in the IPL) would possibly be better,” Vaughan noted.
Gilchrist agreed with Vaughan’s perspective. “There are a number of (England) players who could have fulfilled those obligations (for the T20I series against Pakistan) in the international setup, but those actively involved in the IPL finals period should have stayed back. I think that’s a missed opportunity,” Gilchrist remarked.
The IPL final between Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad will be held on Sunday in Chennai, followed by the T20 World Cup starting on June 2 in the US and West Indies.
