Jos Buttler recalls Virat Kohli’s advice on managing expectations during IPL 2023

Gujarat Titans batter Jos Buttler revealed crucial advice he received from Virat Kohli during IPL 2023 on managing lofty expectations. Buttler, who was playing for Rajasthan Royals, had a breakthrough IPL 2022 season, scoring 863 runs in 17 matches and thus played a key role in taking the inaugural champions to the final of the tournament.

However, Buttler could not replicate the same numbers in the following season as he scored 392 runs in 14 matches at an average of 28 and a strike rate of 139.

Buttler had the impression that Virat Kohli would show arrogance but revealed he was generous and helpful in his advice.

Speaking to his former teammate Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler said on ‘For the Love of Cricket’ podcast, “I had that one season in 2022 where I scored 860 runs. But he’s (Kohli) got the record for the most number of runs in a season (973 runs in 2016), which is phenomenal. I actually found the next season quite difficult because I was like, how do I live up to that? We were training at the same time as RCB. I have played against Virat a lot, huge competitor on the field and sort of feel like, he has aggro with everyone.”

“I just thought I am going to ask him a couple of questions. He had just finished batting. I thought why not go over and ask him. The question, sort of, was about how do you manage expectations? There is more expectation on him than anyone in world cricket. one-and-a-half billion people, all wanting to see you score runs. “

“He was so generous with his time, so helpful about maybe that was just that one season where it is the best season you ever had and you just have to say and accept that. Don’t try to replicate it and don’t try and feel the pressure that is all on your own that you are putting it on. It is okay, life is going to be fine, it is going to work out. I remember coming away from it being so thankful for his time and grateful for his insights and amazed by the knowledge that he had of my own game and sort of what might work.”

Buttler said one of the best things about the IPL is the opportunity to rub shoulders with the best in the business.

“I think that is one of the brilliant things about the IPL, getting to rub shoulders, it is like the best cricket academy in the world,” Buttler said.

Buttler also played a key role in taking Gujarat Titans to the IPL 2025 playoffs whereas Kohli’s wait for an IPL trophy ended in the recently concluded season.