Difficult For Anyone To Stop Jos Buttler When In Such Form: Gautam Gambhir

England keeper-batsman Jos Buttler reiterated on Tuesday why he is one of the best white-ball players in the world as he produced a batting masterclass. Jos Buttler made his highest T20I score of 83 as England comfortably chased down 157 in the third game to beat India and go 2-1 up in the five-match series. Former India batsman Gautam Gambhir admitted that the right-handed batsman is phenomenal and almost unstoppable when in an ominous form.

Since the time Jos Buttler began opening the innings in T20 cricket, he has indeed become a different beast. The 30-year old did for the Rajasthan Royals for the first time back in 2018 and England reaped the benefits of it too. The right-handed batsman has quite frequently got England to lightning-quick starts, allowing them to dictate the terms and setting the stage for a massive total or for chasing targets comfortably. Buttler averages over 40 in T20Is at the opening spot, with a strike rate of more than 150 as well.

As for the current series against India, Jos Buttler missed out to get significant scores in the first two games, including perishing for a golden duck in the second T20I. However, the Lancashire player was at his absolute best in the third T20I as he anchored the innings and eventually scripted an eight-wicket win. Jos Buttler stayed unbeaten at 83 off 52 balls and shared two vital partnerships with Dawid Malan and Jonny Bairstow. His knock contained five fours and four sixes.

Jos Buttler has so many options – be it facing fast bowlers or spinners: Gautam Gambhir

Gautam Gambhir acknowledged that one could indeed rank Jos Buttler as one of the best T20 batsmen in the world along with Rohit Sharma and agreed with Ian Bell, who called his countryman as the best limited-overs player from England. The 39-year old pointed out that Buttler has several shot options and is proficient against any type of bowler. Gambhir also recognized that any bowler would find it challenging to stop the Englishman when in such form. He also admitted that in Jasprit Bumrah’s absence, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Shardul Thakur, and Hardik Pandya would likely struggle against a quality batsman like Buttler.

“He’s phenomenal, probably the best T20 batter in the world along with Rohit Sharma. Ian Bell just mentioned he is the best English white-ball batsman. According to me, Jos Buttler is the best white-ball batter in the world. He’s got so many options. I don’t think there is anyone who has got so many options, be it facing the fast bowlers and spinners – the reverse sweep, the lap, you can call everything. He is just phenomenal and once he is in this kind of form, it’s difficult for anyone to stop him because he has so many options. Obviously, when Jasprit Bumrah is not there, it’s difficult for bowlers like Shardul Thakur, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Hardik Pandya to stop someone like Jos Buttler,” Gambhir told ESPN Cricinfo.

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