IPL 2022 | Tendulkar critics Siraj for not bowling with right technique against Buttler

Former Indian batter Sachin Tendulkar believes Mohammed Siraj missed a trick by not bowling a regulation outswinger against Jos Buttler in Qualifier 2 on Friday (May 27).

Buttler scored an unbeaten 106 runs off 60 deliveries, his 4th hundred of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022, against Royal Challengers Bangalore in Qualifier 2 at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. 

Rajasthan Royals won the match by seven wickets, and Bangalore were eliminated from the tournament.

Defending just 158 runs, RCB needed early breakthroughs to keep them alive in the low-scoring chase. But Siraj conceded 31 runs in his first two overs, which as per the 'God of Cricket' was the turning point of the game.

"I believe Siraj dropped a technique against Buttler. He didn't bowl an outswinger. He had been bowling angled seam in cutters and cross-seamed deliveries. He could've used a standard outswinger," Tendulkar said.

RCB retained Siraj as one of their retentions before the auction. However, the right-arm fast bowler had a poor season, picking up just nine wickets in 15 games at an average of 57.11 with an economy rate of 10.08. 

The RCB pacer also registered an unwanted record, conceding 31 sixes this season, which is the highest by any bowler in one edition.

The 'Master Blaster' credited Yashasvi Jaiswal for releasing the pressure on his senior partner in the run chase. 

"The way Yashasvi Jaiswal played the first ball made a huge statement, even though it was a dot ball. It was a good delivery from Siraj on a nice length to which Jaiswal played a full-blooded cover drive. He then hit Siraj's short-pitched deliveries for two sixes and a four," he said.

"Yashasvi's explosive start gave Buttler some breathing space. The latter was batting on 6 after 7 balls. After that, he targeted Siraj," the legendary batter added.

Tendulkar praised Jos Buttler and stated that it is a joy to watch him bat when he is in full flow.

"When he gets going, it's a joy to watch. Something happens on every ball. He is unpredictable and a 360-degree player. There was not one area where he did not hit a shot. (He displayed) brilliant batswing and footwork. He also built a good partnership with Sanju when RR needed it," Tendulkar concluded.