IPL 2018: It Was Shane Warne's Decision to Send Ben Stokes at the Top - Jos Buttler

Rajasthan Royals (RR) gloveman Jos Buttler revealed that it was legendary Shane Warne’s decision to send Ben Stokes to open an innings.

Interestingly, the star all-rounder Stokes opening the batting that took many by a surprise. Buttler confirms that Stokes was having issues with his hamstring in the first innings.

Thus, Warne wanted him to exploit the powerplay overs. Warne took this decision as it would have been difficult for Stokes to run between the wickets in the middle overs.

However, Warne’s gamble didn’t come off as Stokes managed only 11 runs in his seven-ball stay at the crease.

“At the halftime. He (Stokes) was just struggling a little bit with his hamstring, whether it was a cramp or something else, he was struggling with his running. And as we’ve seen on this ground, actually in the middle overs, trying to push twos and run hard when boundaries are a little harder,” Buttler said after the match in Jaipur.

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Buttler added that Warne wanted to take the gamble as he promoted Stokes up in the batting order. Logically, the idea behind the move was a good one by former Australian leg-spinner.

“Shane Warne sort of said why don’t you go at the top and play with some freedom and try and see if that comes off because he felt like he was going to find it hard in the middle with his running. I kept nicking the strike off him at the top, but it was a nice experiment and I think Shane Warne has obviously been a proactive guy and thought why not, let’s try it,” Buttler added.

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Meanwhile, Buttler took Royals on his own shoulders and guided his team to a four-wicket win against Super Kings.

The wicketkeeper-batsman scored his fourth consecutive half-century. Thus, the England batsman is at the top of his game since he started opening an innings for the Royals.

Royals have won their last two matches and would like to continue the impetus.

Ajinkya Rahane-led team will next meet reigning champions Mumbai Indians on May 13 which is going to be an imperative clash, as Jos Buttler would be eyeing to make it five fifties in a row.

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