I gel well off the field with Buttler, enjoy batting with him in the middle: Parthiv Patel

Jos Buttler has batted out of position for Mumbai Indians this year. Asked to open the innings instead of skipper Rohit Sharma, Buttler has produced some good knocks at the top of the order. A strike rate of 154.36 this season has helped him give Mumbai quick starts.

He has formed a formidable opening combination with Parthiv Patel at the top of the order. Both happen to be wicket-keeping batsmen and like to play their shots early in the innings. Their stand of 81 off just 35 balls against Kings XI Punjab at Indore helped MI to chase down 199 with as many as 27 balls to spare.

Patel spoke highly of his opening partner Buttler, at a promotional event in Mumbai. “We gel well off the field and enjoy batting together in the middle. He (Buttler) likes to go from the outset, while I take five-six balls to settle. I enjoy batting with him.”

“He’s probably the most destructive batsman in the world I’ve seen. Winning six games out of eight has been fantastic. The starts have been good, but it is about time that we get bigger ones as well and help the team more,” added the 32-year-old.

MI played their last game on Monday and will now play against Gujarat Lions on Saturday giving them a welcome break of 5 days.

“It was a much-needed break for us. We were on the road. I’m confident that the way we’ve played, we’re not going to be complacent. We’ve to respect every opponent and play to our potential,” Patel asserted.

Mumbai sits at the top of the points table with 6 wins out of 8 games. They have all but sealed their spot for the playoffs but would want to finish on the top at the end of the league for it will give them an opportunity to come back in the tournament if they lose their first qualifier. Patel acknowledged the bowlers for the team’s fine run of form.

“We’ve a balanced bowling attack. We’ve got six bowlers, who can bowl four overs, irrespective of whether the track is green or turning. Our batting too is clicking and that is the reason we’re at the top of the table,” he analysed.

Parthiv will himself wants to better his numbers this season. Though he has given flying starts to his team, he must look to convert his 20’s and 30’s into a big knock. His average of 21 this season needs to be bettered for his own as well as his team’s sake.