Evin Lewis and Oshane Thomas to play for Rajasthan Royals

Rajasthan Royals roped in West Indies cricketers Evin Lewis and Oshane Thomas to play in the UAE leg of IPL 2021 which begins on September 19, 2021.

The duo will replace England cricketers Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler. Stokes has taken a mental health break while Buttler has decided to skip the tournament as he awaits the birth of his second child. He also chose to skip the fourth Test in the ongoing series between England and India.

Windies pacer Oshane Thomas featured in 4 IPL matches in 2019 and picked 5 wickets at an average of 15.80 for Royals. Thomas is currently part of the Barbados Royals unit in the ongoing edition of Caribbean Premier League.

Evin Lewis featured in 16 IPL matches for Mumbai Indians in the 2018 and 2019 seasons scoring 430 runs at an average of 26.87. The left hander holds a strike rate of 131.09. He recorded 2 half centuries with a highest score of 65. He is currently playing for St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in CPL 2021.

Lewis played 45 T20 International matches for West Indies scoring 1318 runs at an average of 32.14. He has an impeccable strike rate of 158.03. He scored 2 centuries and 9 half centuries for his country with a highest score of 125*.

Earlier Royals signed up Tabraiz Shamsi as a replacement for Andrew Tye and Glenn Phillips was brought in for Jofra Archer. Shamsi is ranked No.1 in the ICC T20I rankings. Phillips holds a prolific T20 record scoring nearly 4000 runs at an average of 33.27 powered by a strike rate of 142.01. He scored 4 centuries and 24 half centuries.

Royals are currently placed at fifth place in the points table with three wins from seven matches in IPL 2021.