Former England skipper Michael Vaughan reckons Rajasthan Royals will miss the services of their talisman Jos Buttler in the Eliminator against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Buttler has returned to England for national duty and will miss the playoffs of the ongoing IPL.

Meanwhile, Rajasthan Royals have veered off the track at the crucial stage of the tournament, losing four matches on the trot before the playoffs. RR’s last league stage match against KKR was abandoned due to rain.

On the other hand, Buttler scored 359 runs in 11 matches of IPL 2024 at an average of 39.89 and a blistering strike rate of 140.78. The Englishman also scored a scintillating knock of 60-ball 107 against Kolkata Knight Riders earlier in the season.

“RCB have got more players in form. Jos Buttler is such a big player for them. Watch his hundred against KKR, he knows how to get the job done under pressure. They are missing their key jigsaw piece,” Michael Vaughan said on Cricbuzz.

Vaughan backed the top two teams of the standings – KKR and SRH – to play the final at Chennai. The former England opener feels the team that plays in the second qualifier will hold the advantage.

“I think one and two, KKR and SRH will play the final in Chennai,” Vaughan agreed with Simon Doull, who was speaking on the same panel.

“Whoever plays and wins on Friday (2nd playoff) gets the advantage, because they play in Chennai. It’s not a huge advantage, but it is quite an advantage,” Vaughan concluded.

RR will take on RCB in the Eliminator at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Wednesday.