Jos Buttler must get more support: Jaydev Unadkat after Rajasthan Royals’ win

Jos Buttler’s 95*, his fourth consecutive fifty not only helped Rajasthan Royals beat Chennai Super Kings by four wickets at the Sawai Mansingh on Friday, but ensured that the team stayed alive in the race for the play-offs. (RR v CSK HIGHLIGHTS)

However, in the post-match press conference, Rajasthan Royals left-arm pacer Jaydev Unadkat stressed on the need for other batsmen to support the England wicketkeeper as the tournament enters the business end. (RR v CSK SCORECARD)

“Buttler has been taking the innings forward on his own in last four games. It is high time someone takes up the responsibility. Stuart Binny played well today while Krishnappa Gowtham struck some crucial blows; otherwise, it would have been too hard for Jos to carry us over the line on his own. Some extra runs from the middle order are welcome now,” Unadkat said.

The England wicketkeeper-batsman has had scores of 67,51,82 and 95* in his last four games, against Delhi Daredevils, two against Kings XI Punjab and against Chennai Super Kings. In all the matches, the middle order has not chipped in, with Sanju Samson’s 28 against Kings XI Punjab the highest by any other RR batsman in all the games.

READ | IPL 2018: Jos Buttler stars in Rajasthan Royals’ thrilling win over Chennai Super Kings

‘Extras a concern’

Rajasthan Royals were guilty of bowling too many extras in the game against Chennai Super Kings. Unadkat and Jofra Archer bowled four and five wides respectively. Unadkat admitted that the tally of extras (12) for this match was too high and it could have been costly.

“We need to be careful about it. I definitely feel over 10 extras is too much in a Twenty20 game. This is something that we have to work on and restricting the extras will give a cushion of 10-20 runs for our batting side. That is one area of concern,” Unadkat said.

Rajasthan Royals’ face a crunch encounter against Mumbai Indians on Sunday at the Wankhede stadium and the result of the match could go a long way in deciding the fate of both sides in the race for the play-offs.