England’s stand-in skipper, Jos Buttler while lauding the duo of Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes for their 175-run partnership in the second ODI against India, said that it was thrilling to watch the duo bat together.
Team India on account of KL Rahul’s 108 and Rishabh Pant’s 77 posted a total of 336 runs in the second ODI against England.
Replying to the India’s total, English openers Jonny Bairstow and Jason Roy started the innings in their regular aggressive way and once again gave England a brilliant start by stitching a 110-run opening stand- their second century-stand of the series.
The wicket of Jason Roy was blessing in disguise for England as Ben Stokes joined hands with Jonny Bairstow and the duo took charge against the Indian bowlers and smashed them all over the park for their 175-run stand that helped visitors chase the mammoth target of 337 in just 43.3 overs to level the series 1-1.
Bairstow scored his 11th ODI century while Ben Stokes missed out on a ton, but his 52-ball 99 turned the game around in England's favour.
Talking about England’s victory at post-match presentation, Jos Buttler said that he was delighted that his team was committed to play in the positive fashion with which they have had immense success. He added that their bowlers did a fantastic job to restrict India in the middle overs especially when Rishabh Pant was batting.
"Delighted with the response of the guys. We put in a very good bowling performance to restrict India to that total. I am delighted that we continued to commit to the fashion we want to play our cricket.
“The guys in the middle overs did an exceptional job to restrict them at that stage when Rishabh Pant was going, that was a big wicket for us," Jos Buttler said during post-match presentation.
Buttler praised the opening partnership between Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow and said that the duo have been England’s pillars of strength over a long period of time.
"Fantastic opening partnership again, they have been pillar of our strength for a long period of time. They have been outstanding at the top of the order. Delighted for Jonny to go on and reach the three-figures today and it was a top knock," he said.
Jos Buttler further while praising partnership between Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes said that it was thrilling to see duo bat together.
"That partnership with Ben Stokes was thrilling to watch. As a fellow player and as a fan to watch the fashion that they played, some of the strokes they took and the commitment to play in that way ... especially after the last game and some people talked about our way and we need to be started,” he said.
Talking about the criticism on England's batting approach after the first game, Buttler admitted that his team needs to be "smart" at times. He, however, also added that it was also important to stick to the aggressive formula that has worked for them in the last few months
"Of course, we need to play smart at times but we always want to commit to that fashion that we play and the brand of cricket that we play as a side that served us so well for so long. It is very important that we continue when the conditions are suitable," he concluded.
For his knock of 124 runs Jonny Bairstow was awarded Man of the Match. The third and the final ODI between the two teams will be played on 28th March.
(Hindustan Times Inputs)
