Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra believes he felt Jos Buttler will go on to score 1000 runs after he got off to a dream start in the first phase of IPL 2022. Buttler has thus far scored 627 runs in 13 matches at an average of 52.25 and a blistering strike rate of 148.32.
In fact, Buttler had scored almost 500 runs in the first seven matches of the season but he has veered off the track in the last six games of the season as he hasn’t made a lot of good contributions to the team.
Buttler has been a consistent performer for Rajasthan Royals in the last few seasons and it will be imperative for the franchise that he gets his Midas touch back before the playoff stages. RR will face CSK in their last league stage match of the season and Buttler will look to provide a good start to his team.
In the last four innings of the season, Buttler has returned with scores of 22 (25), 30 (16), 7 (11), and 2 (6).
Aakash Chopra said on Star Sports, “This is an inconsistent format in itself because it’s almost impossible to consistently score runs and be successful in this. That Kohli season (2016) where he scored over 900 runs was an anomaly. Otherwise, you’ll find that every batter scoring 600-650 runs in a season goes through a phase where runs don’t come for three-four matches.”
“His first seven matches were so good that we thought it’ll continue like this and he’ll score 1000 runs easily but it doesn’t happen. He has been getting out [cheaply] but I won’t see any issue or a lesson in it. I feel he’ll score runs in this match and all the inconsistency talk will end.”
On the other hand, Shimron Hetmyer has joined back the team after returning from the Caribbean. The renowned commentator feels Hetmyer will replace James Neesham.
“When Hetmyer went, you made two back-to-back changes, Neesham played, you benched Kuldeep Sen so that suddenly shakes your balance. I think it will be a straight swap now, Neesham will go out for Hetmyer and the latter will bat at No. 5.”
Chopra picked Kuldeep Sen to bowl in the death overs ahead of Obed McCoy.
“Kuldeep has bowled well at the death with beautiful temperament. A lot of fast-bowlers bowl with speeds of 140kph now, there’s nothing special in that anymore. The unique thing is, I remember that death over at the Wankhede which he won for his team, I think it was his debut game. He did it many times after that and was called upon to deliver at the end.”
