Cricketer-turned-commentator Kevin Pietersen was full of praise for Rajasthan Royals openers for a scintillating start to their innings against the four-time champions on Thursday. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Jos Buttler were brilliant against the Chennai Super Kings as they took on their inexperienced pacers in the powerplay.
Rajasthan Royals openers stitched a partnership of 86 runs for the 1st wicket to lay the foundation for a big score against the Chennai Super Kings. Dhruv Jurel and Devdutt Padikkal played an exceptional cameo at the end of the innings to help Rajasthan Royals post a mammoth total of 202-5 at the end of 20 overs.
Speaking on Star Sports, Former England skipper Kevin Pietersen lauded Rajasthan Royals for their approach in batting and the desire to make Jaipur their fortress. He praised his fellow countrymen Jos Buttler and young Jaiswal for the fantastic start to the innings and lauded Dhruv Jurel for his terrific finish at the end of the innings.
“It was incredible, they (RR) did everything right. It was almost what you expect from a team that plays at home because you want to make your home ground your fortress. It is very difficult for the opposition to dominate. Jaiswal and Jos Buttler started beautifully, and they (RR) finished the innings off well with Dhruv Jurel is unbelievable, I mean what a talent that kid is,” Kevin Pietersen said.
Pietersen said that it was the right decision by Sanju Samson to bat first as they have the most lethal and experienced spin bowling lineup in the league. The Inaugural Champions had Ravichandran Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Adam Zampa to their playing 11.
“There is so much happening for RR and when you have got the experience of three spinners in your bowling lineup, I thought it was going to be a very, very difficult chase,” He said
Rajasthan Royals secured their fifth win in the league stage to move to the top of the points table with a thumping 32-run win over against Chennai Super Kings on Thursday.
Teams Batting First Are Getting 200 And They Can Defend It – Kevin Pietersen On New Trend In IPL 2023
Kevin Pietersen believes that teams batting first can defend the big totals in the league and feels that it will be the trend going forward in the tournament and said that batters should try to score more boundaries in the game.
“Teams batting first are getting 200 and they can defend it. I am starting to think setting totals is probably the way forward because of the nature of the batters going forward with their business. It is about swinging from ball one. It is all about boundaries and getting as much as you can,” Kevin Pietersen added.
Rajasthan Royals will take on Rohit Sharma-led Mumbai Indians in their next encounter on April 30 in the iconic Wankhede Stadium as they will look to continue their winning run at the business end of the tournament.