The batting request of the Rajasthan Royals has been somewhat of a riddle in IPL 2020. Victor of the first since forever version, the Royals have done too many cleaving and changing, particularly at the top however it hasn't helped the group much as they keep on grieving at the seventh situation in focus table.
Previous India opener Aakash Chopra has censured RR's batting request, considering it a 'jumble', saying it looks bad to make Ben Stokes open the innings and keep a touchy batsman like Jos Buttler at No. 4. With the presence of Buttler, Stokes, and chief Steve Smith in their positions, RR is battling to find some kind of harmony in the batting request and that is the thing that, Chopra figures, is the explanation for their present remaining in the table.
“Rajasthan Royals have an issue that their batting order is actually a disorder. Their batting order is beyond my understanding at this point in time because Jos Buttler, who is their best player is being sent at No.4 while they are opening with Ben Stokes, whose bat is not firing,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
“The extent to which Ben Stokes’ bat has not been firing can be understood by the fact that he has played more than 100 deliveries and he is yet to hit a six. They have signed Ben Stokes and not Aakash Chopra that he is scoring with just the fours and singles.”
“Rajasthan Royals had expectations from Ben Stokes but he is not able to deliver there but the entire innings is becoming slow. Because of that Sanju Samson plays a bad shot to get out as the pressure is mounting,” Chopra added.
“By the time Steve Smith comes to bat, the match is almost going out of their hands and in such a situation if Jos Buttler gets out, already you have reduced his effectiveness by giving him less overs to bat, then your whole boat sinks.”