IPL 2022: Exceeded all my expectations this season – Jos Buttler

Rajasthan Royals opening batter Jos Buttler was at his absolute best in Tata IPL 2022. Buttler went on to score 863 runs in 17 matches of the tournament at an average of 57.53 and a blistering strike rate of 149.05.

Thus, the England batter ticked all the right boxes throughout the season as he batted at a very high level.

Buttler admitted that he exceeded all of his expectations but at the same time he was disappointed to be on the losing side in the all-important final against Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Sunday.

Buttler had scored almost 500 runs in the first seven matches of the tournament but veered off the track in the second leg of the league stage. However, the talisman bounced back stronger in the playoffs stages as he batted at the top of his game.

Buttler top-scored for his team in the final with 39 runs as RR could only manage 130 runs on the board, which was always going to be tough to defend.

Buttler’s tally of 863 runs is the second-highest in the history of the IPL in a single season of the tournament. Virat Kohli had scored 973 runs in IPL 2016 and it is the highest ever in any edition.

Ergo, Buttler played an instrumental role in the success of the team and took them to the finals. The right-hander scored a total of four centuries and equaled Virat Kohli’s record.

Jos Buttler was awarded the Player of the tournament for his prolific performance throughout the season. He said after the game, “Exceeded all my expectations apart from today – the trophy we really wanted. Disappointed with that. Big congratulations to Hardik and team. Deserving champions. My goals are to play my role for the team and try and react on the day regarding what the game is asking me to do. In good teams, you have a lot of trust in everyone.

We have huge trust in everyone in our team. Very grateful for the opportunity to play today. Disappointed – that’s completely natural. Have lost plenty of finals in my career, unfortunately. Today’s been an amazing occasion, been a fantastic tournament. Having had two years without crowds, to come here and play has been an absolute privilege. And for all the young guys in our team to soak it up, and use the hurt from today to push on further for the rest of your career.”

Meanwhile, Rajasthan Royals will be delighted with their campaign but at the same time, they would be a bit disappointed to lose the all-important final.