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England's wicketkeeper-batter Jos Buttler has revealed his conversation with Virat Kohli that took place during Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023. Buttler said that Kohli was open about his insecurities and have advice to him about managing expectations after a record-breaking season for Rajasthan Royals (RR).
Buttler had broken former Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) captain David Warner's record for most runs in an IPL season by an overseas player. Before the game between RCB and RR, he talked to Kohli during a training session.
"In IPL 2022, I scored 863 runs. But Virat has got the record for most runs (973) in a season, which is phenomenal. I actually found the next season quite difficult — like, how do I live up to that? And we were training at the same time as RCB," he said on For the Love of Cricket podcast with former teammate Stuart Broad.
"I thought I’d just ask him a couple of questions. He had just finished his batting. The question was on how he manages expectations. There is more expectation on him than anyone in the world in cricket — like, one and a half billion people want him to score all the time.
"He was so generous with his time. He was so helpful. He said maybe that one season was the best I will ever have. I need to accept that and not try to replicate it. I’m putting unnecessary pressure on myself. It’s okay.
"Life is going to be fine. It’s going to work out," he added.
Buttler recalled Kohli telling him that at times, he feels he doesn't know how to bat. The former England white-ball captain termed IPL as "the best cricket academy in the world".
"He then started talking about the insecurities he sometimes has about his own game. He said, ‘Sometimes I pick up my bat and I feel like I don’t know how to play.’
"I was like — this guy is arguably the best player of our generation, especially in the white-ball format. I was so thankful for his time and grateful for his insights.
"That’s why I always say IPL is the best cricket academy in the world. You pick the brains of the legends. It helps you for the next six to twelve months," said the Gujarat Titans (GT) player.
Buttler's maiden season for GT
After RR let him go, Buttler was roped in for Rs 15.75 crore by GT. He batted at no.3 and scored 538 runs from 13 innings at an average of 59.78, including five half-centuries. He scored at a strike rate of 163.03.
Buttler left before the playoffs to play ODI series against West Indies at home. In Buttler's absence, GT lost to Mumbai Indians (MI) by 20 runs in the eliminator. He was replaced by Sri Lanka's wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis who got out hit wicket for a 10-ball 20 in the unsuccessful run chase of 229.
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