IPL 2020 | Jos Buttler can win games at back-end like AB de Villiers, Kieron Pollard: Steve Smith - watsupptoday.com
IPL 2020 | Jos Buttler can win games at back-end like AB de Villiers, Kieron Pollard: Steve Smith
Posted 20 Oct 2020 12:33 PM

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Jos Buttler is second to none when it comes to winning games at the back-end, said Rajasthan Royals skipper Steve Smith, likening the English batsman to swashbucklers-par-excellence such as AB de Villiers and Kieron Pollard.

After Royals spinners stifled Chennai Super Kings to stop them at 125 for five, Buttler came up with an unbeaten 70-run knock off just 48 balls to lead his side to a comfortable seven-wicket IPL win on Monday night.
"He is second to none. We are lucky to have him. He has got so much versatility in his batting," Smith said in the post-match press conference.

Buttler is a top-order batsman but Smith sent him at number five against CSK. The Australian said it was imperative for "balance".

"It's an interesting one. Jos is unbelievable player at the top. He has the ability to do things that ABD and Pollards and (Hardik) Pandyas do. Those players win you games at back-end," Smith said.

"This conversation is difficult (to drop him in batting order) but it provides stability in the middle," he added.

Smith shared an unbeaten 98-run stand for the fourth wicket with Buttler and was extremely pleased with the result.

"The wicket was not ideal. I was trying to form a partnership. Jos can score at a good rate. There was no need to take any risk, just form a partnership, put the foot down and get the victory and two points in the end.

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