IPL 2023: Important for me to stay true to myself – Jos Buttler on his indifferent form

Rajasthan Royals’ talisman Jos Buttler admitted he hasn’t been at his best in the ongoing IPL 2023 and feels it is important for him to stay true to himself. Buttler had played a key role in taking Rajasthan Royals to the final of the previous season, after bagging the Orange Cap. He had scored 863 runs in 17 matches at an average of 57.53 and a strike rate of 149.05.

But the England batter hasn’t been able to replicate the same form in the ongoing season. Buttler has been a hit-and-miss in IPL 2023 as he has scored 289 runs in nine matches at an average of 32.11 and a strike rate of 138.94.

Meanwhile, Rajasthan Royals will take on the reigning champions Gujarat Titans at their home venue of Sawai Man Singh Stadium, Jaipur on Friday and Buttler feels it is going to be a crucial match at this stage of the tournament. Rajasthan had earlier beaten the Hardik Pandya-led by three wickets and they will be looking to replicate the same performance.

Speaking at the press conference, Jos Buttler said, “It is a crucial time in the tournament and that’s very exciting. This is the best way to look at it. Whether runs are coming or not, it’s important to stick to what I know and believe in, and play my brand of cricket. I started the tournament doing that pretty well, but haven’t scored as many runs as I would have liked to score of late. But it is important for me to stay true to myself.”

On the other hand, Buttler showered praise on his opening partner Yashasvi Jaiswal, who has been in brilliant form. The young left-hander has amassed 428 runs in nine matches at an average of 47.56 and a blistering strike rate of 159.70. Buttler added Jaiswal has an insatiable hunger to learn and he keeps asking the right questions.

“I share a nice relationship with Yashasvi and he has an insatiable appetite to learn. And it is not always that young guys learn from the older ones. Even the older guys can watch the youngsters and learn from them. The shots he possesses are fantastic and he plays with fantasy. If he continues to do well, it will serve him well.”

Jaiswal is currently the second-highest run-getter in the tournament and he has been giving solid starts to Rajasthan Royals in the ongoing season.

The youngster also scored a magnum opus knock of 124 runs against Mumbai Indians in the last game but his efforts went in vain.