Jos Buttler ensured Rajasthan Royals had momentum while chasing CSK: Stephen Fleming

Jos Buttler’s 95 n.o. off 60 balls, his fourth consecutive fifty in the Indian Premier League (IPL 2018), was the main difference in Rajasthan Royals’ four-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the Sawai Mansingh stadium on Friday. Buttler’s knock has been praised by Chennai Super Kings coach Stephen Fleming, who said that it always gave Rajasthan Royals momentum. (RR vs CSK highlights) (IPL points table)

Speaking in the post-match press conference, Fleming said, “Buttler played a very good innings on a difficult track. A fair bit of pressure (was built) with the way he played. It was a great lone hand and we had no real answers. He was able to take the conditions out of play. However, he still found it difficult as the game went on.” (RR vs CSK scorecard)

Buttler’s great start

Chasing 177, Buttler began aggressively with three fours off David Willey in the first over and he continued by hammering two fours and a six off Harbhajan Singh in the second over. Fleming said the start provided by Buttler was the key in Rajasthan Royals’ chase.

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“Buttler got some momentum through the first six overs. But the game was pretty even after we got a couple of wickets. But we were hoping that as the pitch got slower, we could create some opportunity with our slower bowlers. We came very much planned to the conditions of the wicket rather than the plans with Buttler,” Fleming said.

Difficult pitch

Chennai Super Kings’ total of 176/4 owed to a wonderful 52 from Suresh Raina and an unbeaten 33* from MS Dhoni. Fleming said the team had come prepared for the conditions but the pitch was difficult.

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“I felt we were just about par. we lost some wickets at key times and their death bowling is very good. That was, I was pretty comfortable with the score that we go,” Fleming said.

Chennai Super Kings’ next encounter will be against Sunrisers Hyderabad, who have qualified for the play-offs on Sunday. A win for MS Dhoni’s side will take them closer to sealing their spot in the knock-out stages.