Jos Buttler Explains Why He Came Up With The Idea Of Batting In The Middle-Order In IPL 2020

Jos Buttler, England wicketkeeper-batsman, has revealed that it was indeed him who came up with the idea of him batting in the middle-order for the Rajasthan Royals in the recently concluded season of the IPL.

Butter, who has made a name for himself with his power-packed batting at the top of the order in the past two years, left everyone in shock when he came out to bat in the middle-order during the second half of the season.

It was yet another boom and bust campaign for the Rajasthan Royals, who once again flattered to deceive. Despite having such a great contingent of overseas players, the Royals finished at the bottom of the pile and the major reasons that contributed to their eventual fate were their soft underbelly (Read- middle-order) and lack of reliable pace-bowling options apart from Jofra Archer.

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‘I thought we were a bit top-heavy’- Jos Buttler

Buttler admitted that the major reason behind him pushing himself down the order was that he felt that the middle-order lacked experience and even though Rahul Tewatia was playing admirably, there was no substantial support from the other end.

“It actually probably came from myself saying I didn’t think our team had the right balance,” Jos Buttler told Sky’s IPL Cricket Show.

“I thought we were lacking a bit of experience in the middle, and I thought we were a bit top-heavy. [We were] losing games and it felt like there were a couple of games we didn’t quite close out when we were in good positions, and I felt like if we had had a bit more experience in that position, maybe we would have got over the line,” Buttler said.

“Rahul Tewatia had a great season for us with the bat, being a bit of a finisher, but I felt like a more experienced guy alongside him would have balanced our team a bit better. It was an offering, really, from myself to say: I haven’t had the runs I’d have liked at the top and I’m quite happy to move. I thought for our team, it looked a better balance having a more experienced player in the middle as well.” he added.

Interestingly, Buttler’s highest score of the season- a match-winning 48-ball 70- came while batting in the middle-order against the Chennai Super Kings.