IPL 2019: 3 overseas openers to watch out for

#2 Jos Buttler (Rajasthan Royals)

Buttler has a strike rate of 150.56 in IPL

Jos Buttler, 28 years old, is one of the most explosive wicketkeeper-batsmen in the cricket world. He is now a permanent member of the English squad across all formats of the game, even though he bats at different positions.

In 2018, Buttler had a good international outing with an average of 51.62 in ODIs and 44.71 in Tests. In the ongoing BBL, he has had a good run with 273 runs from his 7 innings for Sydney Thunder. Right now he is a part of the England team playing the Test series in West Indies.

In the IPL Buttler has played for Mumbai Indians (2016-2017) and Rajasthan Royals (2018-present). He had mediocre outings in IPL 2016 and 2017, but in IPL 2018, Buttler scored 548 runs at an average of 54.80 while striking at 155.24. He scored five fifties in that season with a highest score of 95 not out.

In total, Buttler has scored 1075 IPL runs averaging 34.67 at a strike rate of 150.56. He is expected to open the batting with Ajinkya Rahane this year. However, he is also expected to miss the latter half of the IPL due to World Cup preparations.