Tom Moody, the former Australian cricketer, has showered accolades upon Jos Buttler of Rajasthan Royals (RR), hailing him as an "exceptional athlete" for his resolute stance till the very last ball, securing victory with a stunning display of batting prowess. Moody also lauded Buttler's innings as one of the "memorable IPL centuries."
In a recent encounter, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) set a formidable target of 224 runs, powered by Sunil Narine's explosive century (109 off 56 balls). Despite RR's hopes of chasing the target, consistent wickets slowed their progress, leaving them at 128/6 in 14 overs, with boundaries becoming scarce.
At this critical juncture, with Buttler batting at 42 off 33 balls alongside Rovman Powell, he took charge and orchestrated a remarkable comeback. Buttler, in what marked his seventh IPL century, crafted an unbeaten 107 off 60 balls, securing victory for his team in a nail-biting finish.
This season witnessed Buttler clinching victory twice off the final ball of the innings, with just one run needed off the last delivery.
Reflecting on the match, Moody acknowledged Kolkata as a favorable ground for chasing targets and praised Buttler's composure amidst the batting order shuffle, emphasizing his ability to remain focused and steer his team to victory.
During the tense final over, Buttler, fatigued yet determined, smashed a six to reach his century, followed by Varun Chakaravarthy's three consecutive dot balls. Despite the pressure, Buttler managed to secure a double off the penultimate ball, sealing victory for RR on the last ball and matching the highest successful run chase in IPL history.
Moody emphasized Buttler's elite athleticism, highlighting the importance of physical and mental strength in modern cricket. He applauded Buttler's swift recovery from illness, attributing it to his resilience and dedication to fitness.
Regarding Buttler's innings, Moody echoed the sentiment of it being one of the best IPL centuries, emphasizing his calmness and clarity amidst challenging conditions. He credited Buttler for guiding RR to victory, despite being in a precarious situation, and lauded his partnership with Powell for injecting momentum into the innings.
In conclusion, Moody expressed admiration for Buttler's performance, highlighting his ability to thrive under pressure and steer his team to victory in a memorable display of skill and determination.
