Ahmedabad, April 4 (IANS) Ahead of the high-profile clash between the Gujarat Titans and Rajasthan Royals at the Narendra Modi Stadium, England wicketkeeper-batter Jos Buttler shared his thoughts on the evolution of T20 cricket, noting that the new dynamics have seen young, up-and-coming players taking on ‘more risks’ and it is crucial to assess the conditions and make plans accordingly.
Set to take on his former side, the Rajasthan Royals, Buttler admitted there is a sense of familiarity, but his focus remains firmly on the contest ahead. “I’m looking forward to it. It is great to see some familiar faces, but looking forward to the game, it should be a great night,” he said.
Addressing questions around his recent form, Buttler emphasised a grounded, process-driven approach rather than dwelling on outcomes. “It’s just the same as it is. Whether you’re in form or out of form, you wake up and train hard, work hard, and trust in that. You know you have done these things before, but looking forward to the future and trusting that again,” he explained.
Now representing the Gujarat Titans, Buttler also spoke about playing in Ahmedabad, a venue where he has enjoyed considerable success. “Yes, it’s a boost, but again, like I said, whether you have been scoring runs or not, the past you can take confidence from very much about working out there, starting on good and playing the game in front of you, but it is always a good venue to play at. Usually, a pretty good wicket, it is going to be the same for both sides, so it’s going to be a good game,” he noted, while underlining the importance of staying present despite past performances.
Reflecting on the broader evolution of T20 cricket, Buttler pointed to increasing boldness among players, while maintaining that the fundamentals remain unchanged. “It is evolving every year. The players are getting braver and taking on more risk. But I think the game of cricket remains the same, to be honest. Different games and different scores are going on even in the first week of IPL as well, so as I said, you have to work out the conditions quickly and play accordingly,” he said.
As for what could prove decisive on the night, Buttler kept it simple and direct. “As I said, working out the conditions and playing accordingly, it is all about the execution.”
–IANS
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