How Jos Buttler would fare against the team he played for the last seven seasons with distinction was going to be one of the subplots in Wednesday’s IPL encounter.
He did alright, scoring 36 and sharing an 80-run partnership for the second wicket with B. Sai Sudharshan, which laid the foundation for Gujarat Titans’ 58 runs victory against Rajasthan Royals at the Narendra Modi Stadium. That was the Titans’ fourth win on the trot, and it took them to the top of the table.
The England heavyweight has indeed been a welcome addition to GT. He has done his bit to make the franchise top-heavy. So heavy, the top three — skipper Shubman Gill being the other — have rolled over the opposition with ease and consistency.
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Buttler, who used to open for the Royals, has settled nicely into the one-drop slot for GT, with scores like 54, 39 and 73 not out. Assistant coach Parthiv Patel said that was the plan when he was acquired at the auction.
“That he would bat at number,” the former India wicketkeeper said. “Though he wasn’t keeping for England, he was going to do it for us. He has been one of the best players of white-ball cricket in recent years; it is good to see he is enjoying his cricket and delivering for us.”
Parthiv praised the bowlers, too. “Siraj is bowling well, and Prasidh Krishna has been phenomenal,” he said. “Sai Kishore has been the best spinner in the tournament so far.”