Why Ashwin replaced Jos Buttler as an Opener against Punjab Kings?

image-lg3wnyb6Jos Buttler taking a catch (AP Photo)

The Rajasthan Royals game against Punjab Kings will forever be remembered as an historic game as the first IPL match to be played at Barsapara Stadium. However, the most interesting moment of the game was when Ashwin walked out to bat in place of Jos Buttler to open the innings alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal in the run-chase as Punjab posted a huge total of 197.

It came as a big surprise for everyone as Buttler has been superb for RR while opening the innings. The reason though for the surprise move was clarified by the on-air commentator, Murali Kartik when he mentioned that Buttler went off the field immediately after taking Shahrukh Khan's catch in the final over of the first innings and has hurt his fingers.

However, plenty of questions were asked about Ashwin’s promotion to the top of the order when RR had other quality options. Devdutt Padikkal who is batting in the middle order for this RR team is naturally an opener and he would have been a perfect fit. Also, Sanju Samson has opened in the T20s in the past and has done that successfully too but RR decided to go with Ashwin.

The move though did not work as RR lost two early wickets with Jaiswal going first and Ashwin also departing for a duck. The good news for RR is that Buttler is fit and after the first wicket, the dashing opener made his way into the middle with a resounding applause from the Guwahati crowd.

However, Buttler could not last long as he departed on 19 off 11 balls with RR 57-3 in the sixth over at the time of writing. Samson though is batting well and  he now has Paddikal to take RR out of trouble in this game.