Jos Buttler ‘owes huge debt’ to Mumbai Indians head coach Mahela Jayawardene for giving the chance to…

New Delhi: Jos Buttler is widely considered one of the greatest limited-overs openers, despite occasionally batting at number three in recent years. His IPL career began further down the batting order; however, he secured a consistent opening role in his second season.

During his second IPL season in 2017, Jos Buttler was given the opportunity to open the batting for the Mumbai Indians, a decision he credits to then head coach Mahela Jayawardene.

“I’ve really enjoyed batting all up and down the order. In the first half of my career, I was very much a middle-order player or finisher. Actually, I owe a huge debt to Mahela Jayawardene for giving me the chance to open in T20 cricket. I had to learn how to play the powerplay. But once I got through the powerplay, it felt like I was just batting as I used to anyway,” Buttler is quoted as saying by the Times of India.

In his first season as head coach, former cricketing great Mahela Jayawardene guided MI to victory. His leadership continued to deliver success, resulting in consecutive championship wins in 2019 and 2020. Jos Buttler also praised Jayawardene’s coaching style, highlighting its adaptability.

“So yeah, it’s nice to be able to marry the two styles. Obviously, if you can get through the powerplay and then play freely, you can really impact the game.

“Playing at number three is a new role for me. I did it a bit with England in the last few months. But yeah, I’m just trying to use all my experience and look at the scoreboard and play what is required. You know, obviously, you can see what the openers are doing and if the ball is swinging, or if it’s a really good wicket, or whatever. And then, yeah, I could be in the first over, or I could be outside the powerplay. So, I just wait and see and react to how I need to play,” said Buttler.

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