Playing IPL would have been better for England players than playing against Pakistan: Michael Vaughan

Many England players left the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 mid-way due to their national duties against Pakistan ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. The likes of skipper Jos Buttler, Phil Salt, Will Jacks, and Reece Topley departed for England as their IPL teams prepared for the playoffs.

While the first T20I against Pakistan was washed out, the hosts won the second T20I in Birmingham by 23 runs. However, former England captain Michael Vaughan believes some of those players would have benefited more from staying in the high-pressure atmosphere of the IPL playoffs rather than playing the Pakistan series.

"I think you’re going to miss the trick by sending all their players home. You know, I think Will Jacks, Phil Salt, Jos Butler, in particular, playing in the IPL in the eliminators, pressure, crowd, expectation. I would argue that playing here is better preparation than playing a T20 game against Pakistan," Vaughan said on ‘The Club Prairie Fire’ podcast.

Also read: Michael Vaughan defends English players who left IPL 2024 for national team duties

Players are under a huge amount of pressure from fans, owners, and social media: Michael Vaughan

Vaughan clarified that he is not wanting players to prioritise franchise over national duty, but he feels the IPL playoffs provide immense pressure simulation, which is ideal for the marquee event.

"I’m all for international cricket, but now and again, this tournament in particular, it’s so exposed to pressure. These players are under a huge amount of pressure from fans, owners, and social media. It’s massive. I just felt particularly those two, and Butler, probably not as much, but I still think he could have stayed here. But Will Jacks and Phil Salt, I think they’d have been better prepared staying here playing in the IPL, then going back to head and let’s play a game," he added.

Also read: Michael Vaughan opens up about Rinku Singh’s subpar form

However. the 49-year-old had backed his countrymen for returning to play against the Men in Green. The English players faced criticism from Sunil Gavaskar and Irfan Pathan for leaving the cash-rich league mid-way.

"If you are going back to represent your country, which England players have done, I think that's fair enough. They are playing a series against Pakistan. The England players wouldn't have gone back if it wasn't for the Pakistan series. The series was on the calendar. With English cricket, the defense of the 50-over World Cup was a poor one by England here in India,” said Vaughan as quoted by India Today.