IPL 2018: Twitter Reacts as Jos Buttler's Fifty Guides Royals to Competitive Total Against KXIP

Being in red-hot form Jos Buttler struck his third consecutive fifty as Rajasthan Royals posted 158 for eight against Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Tuesday.

Sent in to bat first, the Royals were off to a decent start. Buttler continued his amazing run, helping his side score quickly in the beginning.

However, Ajinkya Rahane’s dismal run continued as he was sent back by Andrew Tye for just nine. The duo added 37 runs for the first wicket before Tye gave visitors the first breakthrough.

Quick Read: IPL 2018: Match 40, Rajasthan Royals Vs Kings XI Punjab – Toss Report

At the end of the powerplay, the Royals were 63 for one with Buttler scoring 45 runs of them.

Krishnappa Gowtham, promoted in the batting order, then failed to justify the decision. The allrounder could score only eight. Buttler, on the other end, continued to make merry, capitalising fully on the opening spot. The England star scored his third fifty on the trot off just 27 balls.

Buttler and Sanju Samson then took the innings forward, laying the foundation for a big total. The hosts reached the 100-run mark in the 13th over.

Teenage star Mujeeb Ur Rahman finally managed to break the stand when he accounted for Samson for 22. The duo added 53 runs for the third wicket.

The Afghan star then dismissed the dangerous Buttler to deal a huge blow to hosts’ hopes of a strong finish. Buttler scored 82 off 58 balls including nine fours and a six.

The following batsmen then failed to rely on the solid platform provided by Jos Buttler, as the Royals finished on a modest total despite being 120 for after 15 overs.

Here is how Twitter reacted to the innings:

How it took @rajasthanroyals so long to realise @josbuttler had to open I will never know …. #OnOn #IPL2018

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) May 8, 2018

Rajasthan Royals will be ruing they haven't used Butler as opener from the start of the season. Inexplicable to be honest

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) May 8, 2018

RR might have missed the trick by not opening Jos Buttler early in the IPL and ECB might be taking some notes now…

— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) May 8, 2018

Jos Buttler in the middle order this IPL : 10(11),6(8),22(17),24*(18),23(14),29(18),6(9)
Jos Buttler as an opener this IPL :
67(26),51(39),51*(28).

— arfan (@Im__Arfan) May 8, 2018

Graeme Smith in commentary

“A lot of pressure on these two batsman as middle order hasn’t performed and Stuart Binny is also back in the team”

So subtle ???

— The Lying Lama 2.0 (@KyaUkhaadLega) May 8, 2018

https://twitter.com/pun_star69/status/993882137047650304

https://twitter.com/TheLitttleLiar/status/993882095612284928

https://twitter.com/Sajjanlaunda/status/993881805429227521

Jos Buttler once asked to open

18 balls half-century
27 balls half-century

— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) May 8, 2018

Shane Warne walks out at the strategic time out, pats Buttler on the back and says 'what a great mentor I am….' #ipl

— Innocent Bystander (@InnoBystander) May 8, 2018

https://twitter.com/TheLyrebird1001/status/993862752044122113

Andrew Tye has picked up the Indian ‘ok’ head shake #ipl pic.twitter.com/g6j6rm5ytN

— simon hughes (@theanalyst) May 8, 2018

Kings XI have a lot of statues in the field – Scott Styris

? ? ?

— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) May 8, 2018

#IPL2018
English Commentator- That's a superb Reverse Sweep.

Hindi Commentator(A.C.)- घी अगर सीधी ऊँगली से ना निकले , तो ऊँगली टेढ़ी करनी पड़ती है । ???#RRvKXIP #VIVOIPL #IPL2018

— Subodh Agarwal? (@SubodhAgarwal1) May 8, 2018

Ajinkya Rahane might go the Che Pujara way. Play only one format.

— Рramod. (@Cric_Pramod) May 8, 2018

This innings of Rahane is dedicated to his captaincy call for Afghanistan Test. #RRvKXIP

— Mon (@4sacinom) May 8, 2018

Thank god Ajinkya Rahane threw it away before doing damages to Rajasthan Royals.#RRvKXIP

— Jaanvi? (@ThatCric8Girl) May 8, 2018