Why is Will Jacks not playing today's RCB vs CSK match in IPL 2024?
In what might prove to be a major setback for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), they'll miss their star overseas batter Will Jacks for the do-or-die clash against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday.
Jacks, alongside his compatriot Reece Topley, left the RCB squad after their win over the Delhi Capitals last week to join the England group for their 2024 T20 World Cup preparations. England will play a four-match T20I series against Pakistan from May 22 ahead of the marquee tournament in June.
Speaking about his time at the team in a recent RCB video, Jacks talked about Bengaluru, RCB fans and thanked his teammates for their support.
"It's been amazing," Jacks said. "The fans have made it amazing... I have really loved it. The city, Bangalore, is really cool. It's been a great experience. Greeny (Cameron Green), Lockie (Ferguson), Maxy (Glenn Maxwell), I have learned a lot from all the big players, all the local players and everyone has been great with training. I think we have created a really great environment and that has helped us get on as well."
He was a key part of RCB's turnaround from having one win in the first eight games to five in the next five. Playing in his first season, he notched up 230 runs in eight innings, including a brilliant century against the Gujarat Titans at an overall strike rate of 175.57 from number three - a position he rarely played before for England.
Who has replaced Will Jacks in RCB's playing 11?
As many expected, Maxwell has come in RCB's playing 11. The Australian all-rounder had a torrid start to the season and even pulled himself out of the team for his mental well-being. But RCB and CSK would know he remains a game-changer in this format, especially on a ground like Chinnaswamy.
RCB's playing 11: Faf du Plessis (c), Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, Rajat Patidar, Cameron Green, Mahipal Lomror, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Karn Sharma, Yash Dayal, Lockie Ferguson, and Mohammed Siraj.