England stars could QUIT if they are barred from playing in the IPL, warns director of cricket Ashley Giles... after Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes were among those rested during winter tours of Sri Lanka and India ahead of playing in franchise tournament

Daily Mail | March 30, 2021

England stars could quit from playing for their country if their path to participating in the Indian Premier League is blocked, Ashley Giles has warned.

Rajasthan Royals duo Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes were among a host of England players rested over the course of their winter tours in Sri Lanka and India.

Wicketkeeper Buttler played just the first Test match of the four-match series against Virat Kohli's side, while all-rounder Stokes was absent from the previous tour in Sri Lanka as part of the controversial rest and rotation policy.

Ashley Giles has warned England stars could quit national duty if they are barred from playing in the IPL

Buttler is one of four England members in Rajasthan's squad

Stokes has starred for the franchise in recent editions of the tournament

ENGLAND PLAYERS AT IPL 2021

Chennai Super Kings - Sam Curran, Moeen Ali

Delhi Capitals - Chris Woakes, Tom Curran, Sam Billings

Kolkata Knight Riders - Eoin Morgan

Kings XI Punjab - Chris Jordan, Dawid Malan

Rajasthan Royals - Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer*, Liam Livingstone

Sunrisers Hyderabad - Jonny Bairstow

*subject to fitness

England players competing in the franchise tournament could also miss the two-match Test series against New Zealand in June if their sides are involved in the latter parts of the competition, including the play-offs, eliminator and final.