Rajasthan Royals (RR) wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler is in awe of the West Indian duo of Chris Gayle and Andre Russell. Ahead of the IPL 2021, Buttler picked Gayle and Russell as the most destructive batsmen in T20 cricket. While Gayle is the only batsman to score over 13,000 runs in T20s, Russell is wrecker in chief with both bat and the ball. Gayle will probably play his last IPL when he bats for Punjab Kings while Russell will be looking to find his rhythm for Kolkata Knight Riders.
“There’s a few out there at the moment but it’s hard to look past the West Indian batsmen. I’d say Chris Gayle obviously has been so destructive for such a long period of time. Obviously, Andre Russell, when he gets going, is pretty formidable and quite scary to bowlers. So, I’m going to say, Chris Gayle and Andre Russell,” Jos Buttler said answering a fan’s question during an AMA session arranged by Rajasthan Royals.
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However, as for his favourite cricketer at present, he didn’t pick any Indians, not even Virat Kohli. He instead went with South Africa and Mumbai Indians’ Quinton de Kock.
“My current favourite player, I’d probably say, is Quinton de Kock, the South African wicketkeeper-batsman. Obviously, for myself, someone I know look to the way he plays. I love the free spirit he plays with, but I think left-handers always look better than right-handers as well,” Buttler said.
Can Chris Gayle and Andre Russell justify Buttler’s choice in IPL 2021?
Gayle and Russell have been stars in IPL. If Gayle is the highest individual scorer in IPL with a mammoth 175-run knock, Russell is 182.33 speaks volume of his batting prowess. Gayle is also the leading the IPL charts of most centuries and most sixes with six hundreds and 349 maximums.
However, Gayle’s form will be a bit of worry for Punjab Kings. In his last five T20 innings, Gayle scored only one 50, in the Pakistan Super League. But considering it could be his last IPL and with T20 World Cup approaching, the left-hander will want to get going.
| Player | Team | Matches | Runs | SR | 50/100 | Wickets | Economy |
| Chris Gayle | PBKS | 7 | 288 | 137.14 | 0/3 | 0 | 0 |
| Andre Russell | KKR | 10 | 117 | 144.44 | 0/0 | 6 | 9.72 |
As for Russell, a lot depends on him for KKR. He is KKR’s third pacer and match-winner while chasing. It’s Russell, who KKR look at in difficult situations. In the last 10 T20 innings, he has scored only one half-century and with the ball, he hasn’t been that effective. His best performance during this time has been 3/18 in the Lanka Premier League.
Meanwhile, Buttler himself would like to get going for RR at the top. He hasn’t been in his best of forms. During the India vs England series, he scored only two half-centuries. However, it’s his form in the T20Is that will inspire RR ahead of IPL 2021. He also said that he is excited to play under new captain Sanju Samson in the IPL.
“I think it’s fantastic that Sanju is our captain this year. I’m really excited to play under him. It’s obviously a great story for Sanju, having been with the royals since he was 17 and now nearly 10 years later, to be appointed captain for this IPL season is hugely exciting. He’s a top player, is a great human being, and I’m sure he’s going to be a great leader. So really excited to play under Sanju,” Buttler said.