Dhoni inspired Buttler to step up in pressure situation
Jos Buttler’s amazing form helped England ensure a whitewash over Australia in a five-ODI series. The wicketkeeper-batsman amassed 275 runs at a staggering average of 137.5 and made sure that his side didn’t miss the opportunity to become the only second team to thrash the Aussies with a 5-0 series defeat in ODIs.
The Kangaroos were desperate to avoid the whitewash. Despite getting bundled out for a paltry 205-run total, they went on to attack the hosts with everything they had up their sleeves. England were eight down for 114 runs and Buttler stood firm against the Aussie bowling attack to salvage the pride of his team.
The 27-year-old stitched an 81-run ninth-wicket partnership with Adil Rashid where the latter had contributed only 20 runs. Buttler clubbed a hundred and steered the team to a narrow one-wicket victory.
Former India captain, MS Dhoni, who is also a wicketkeeper-batsman, inspired Buttler to perform under immense pressure. He was thinking what Dhoni, one of the best finishers in the game, would do under such a situation.
“I just tried to soak up the pressure and probably imagining what MS Dhoni would do, look unflustered and look calm and try to panic last, so that’s what I was trying to do,” said Buttler. “I knew if we batted 50 overs we would be there, was just trying to find partnerships. Myself and Adil we worked together really well, worked our way through it in different stages what bowlers were coming in with what plans.”
Buttler has also hailed Adil for providing him with the kind of support he needed at that time. The lower-order batters were put to the test in the last game after three high-scoring matches. Although they weren’t very impressive, Buttler’s one-man show coupled with some fine backing from the last two batters helped the team get past the finishing line.
“All credit to Adil for being there and putting in that partnership. The length of our batting lineup is a huge strength and we needed it today,” he added.
On the other hand, Tim Paine, after a disappointing series, has heaped praise on Buttler and said that currently, the England batsman is better than Dhoni in white-ball cricket.
“I don't think there are too many guys to challenge him. MS Dhoni is pretty good, but at this moment, Jos is at the absolute peak of his powers. He understands his one-day game so well and knows his strengths inside out and just doesn't go away from him,” Paine opined.
