IPL 2021: Predicting team-wise top run-scorer and wicket-taker

6. Rajasthan Royals: Jos Buttler & Chris Morris

Last year despite starting aggressively in the initial games of IPL 2020, the RR team finished their season by finding themselves in the rearmost direction of the points table. Players like Sanju Samson and Steve Smith were utterly inconsistent with their performances and someone like Steve Smith had a hazardous time with his captaincy. Despite having the glamour of Ben Stokes towards the rear end, the team overall had a saddening season. But with the appointment of their new captain Sanju Samson, the franchise will now undergo a new beginning.

For scoring most runs, the RR camp does have some sturdy names like Ben Stokes and skipper Samson himself, but when someone like Jos Buttler is available at the top then hardly there’s a debate left. Last year, Buttler had a very underwhelming season as he could only notch 328 runs from his 13 games. Just like his peers, even his batting looked completely inconsistent which very broadly had drastic effects on RR’s overall performances. However, with Buttler now having a splendid time for England wherein he currently averages more than 50 as an opener, a plethora of fireworks and match-winning innings are bound to get produced from his bat in the upcoming IPL.

In terms of wickets, although Jofra Archer’s entire IPL omission is a big blow for RR, even in this adversity, there’s a chance for someone like Chris Morris to rise up and demonstrate his true worth. Although the team does have some prominent replacements available in the form of Andrew Tye and Mustafizur Rahman, someone like Morris will often be the fourth overseas player in the playing XI. Hence, by regularly being in the top XI, the absence of Jofra Archer is a fitting instance for Chris Morris to revamp his bowling career in the IPL.