Jos Buttler scored 70* off 48 balls against Chennai Super Kings to help Rajasthan Royals win the game by seven wickets in Abu Dhabi on Monday. The Royals have moved upto the sixth position in the points table as Buttler is donning the finisher’s role beautifully for the side. He added an unbeaten 94-run stand to win the game easily at the end. Steve Smith also found some form with a crucial 26 off 34 balls.
After the game, Steve Smith had high praise for his Royals teammate in the post-match presentation. Seeing his prowess to finish games for his side, Smith likened him to some of the biggest hitters in this format, namely Keiron Pollard, Hardik Pandya and AB De Villiers.
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He Is Second to None – Steve Smith on Jos Buttler
All three have been key to their team’s success in the past with their might big hitting. Also, they have been able to do it consistently for a period of time. Steve Smith feels that Buttler too has the same pedigree.
“It’s an interesting one. Jos is an unbelievable player at the top. He has the ability to do things that ABD and Pollards and (Hardik) Pandya do. Those players win you games at back-end,” Smith said.
Smith also spoke on the new assigned role to Buttler. He started off by opening the batting for his side, but since the last few matches, he has been batting at number four or five and looking to finish games for his team.
“This conversation is difficult (to drop him in batting order) but it provides stability in the middle,” he added.
Furthermore, Steve Smith also spoke on the pitch which became better for batting in the second innings. However, the teams have preferred to bat first so far in the competition.
“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. He (Buttler) came out with a positive mindset…. hit the ball nice and hard and made things easy for me at the other end,” Steve Smith added.
Steve Smith and David Warner come face to face in Dubai on Thursday as Royals face Sunrisers in a must-win game for both teams.
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