Jos Buttler Hails Adil Rashid as England’s “Most Important Player” After Rajkot T20I Win

The England skipper lauds Rashid’s match-winning spell and praises Jofra Archer and Ben Duckett as England keeps the series alive.

Rajkot (Gujarat), January 29: England captain Jos Buttler once again showered praise on veteran leg-spinner Adil Rashid, calling him the team’s “most important player” after his game-changing spell in the third T20I against India.

Rashid’s Masterclass in Rajkot

Seven months ago, when England defeated West Indies in the T20 World Cup Super 8 stage, Buttler had emphasized Rashid’s significance in the squad. Fast forward to Rajkot, Rashid once again proved why he remains England’s trump card.

Despite India’s explosive batting lineup, Rashid kept them in check with his masterful four-over spell, conceding just 15 runs at an economy of 3.80 while claiming the crucial wicket of Tilak Varma, who had been in red-hot form.

“The guys bowled really well, nice to show off their skills. Adil—he’s the most important player in our team, so many variations, so many different styles of bowling, fortunate to have him in our team,” Buttler said in the post-match presentation.

Jofra Archer’s Redemption

England’s pace spearhead Jofra Archer bounced back after his expensive spell in Chennai, showing glimpses of his old self. He outfoxed Sanju Samson early and later dismissed Axar Patel, breaking a crucial partnership with Hardik Pandya.

“Jofra—don’t need to talk much about him—he’s a superstar, incredibly consistent. If he goes for 60, you know he’ll come back well,” Buttler added, lauding Archer’s resilience.

Ben Duckett’s Explosive Knock

On a slow Rajkot pitch, Ben Duckett provided England with a much-needed boost in the powerplay. Partnering with Buttler, he unleashed his unorthodox strokeplay to hammer 51 off 28 balls, setting the platform for England’s competitive total of 171/9.

“Ben Duckett is a difficult guy to stop, that’s why we felt he can do a job for us at the top. He played beautifully on what was a sticky pitch. 170 was a very good score, those wickets were crucial in the powerplay. 127-8 doesn’t bother me, if they say you can be disappointed with the way you play and score 170, I’ll take that,” Buttler remarked.

England Keep Series Alive

After securing a 26-run victory, England have now cut India’s lead to 2-1 in the five-match series. With momentum on their side, the Three Lions will look to level the series in the fourth T20I on Friday at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune.