IPL 2021: KKR skipper Eoin Morgan unleashed the secret of Rajasthan’s opening pair
Kolkata Knight Riders captain Eoin Morgan, who is also England’s captain in white-ball cricket, has revealed, rather accidentally, that Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler will open for the Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2021.
Speaking about Ben Stokes remaining underutilized in T20 cricket for England – averaging 20.09 in 34 matches while batting lower in the order – Eoin Morgan, seemingly unintentionally, gave away the Royals’ game plan of going hard and strong with two of their best batters at the top.
“The more opportunities we’ve (England) given to Jos (Buttler), the better he has got. Very similar instance to Ben (Stokes). The guys just keep getting better and better and better, so it’s our responsibility and the team’s responsibility to present opportunities to them in the biggest moments of the game,” Morgan said.
“The two of them will be opening for Rajasthan (Royals) this year in the IPL so that’s going to be great to watch. But in a team where you have two superstars opening the batting, as an opposition, I’m thinking, ‘Well, better start well!”
Morgan, then, switched back to talking about England, insisting that a similar move may not be beneficial for the international side.
Last season, the inaugural champions struggled for a settled opening pair shuffling the likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Robin Uthappa, Steve Smith, Jos Buttler, and Ben Stokes throughout the tournament. Finally, it looks like they will be going with the English duo this season.
Rajasthan Royals will be led by wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson in this edition of the tournament after the franchise released Steve Smith ahead of the IPL auction. Smith was eventually bought by previous year’s finalists Delhi Capitals on his base price of INR 2 crore.