IPL 2023: Why Jos Buttler is not playing his favourite scoop shot these days

Jos Buttler says he has not fallen out of love with his trademark scoop shot and is merely being a little more choosy about when he plays it after the opener helped Rajasthan Royals to a winning start in the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Sunday.

Rajasthan's top three batters smashed fifties to power the 2008 champions to a commanding 203-5 against hosts Sunrisers Hyderabad, who managed 131-8 in reply.

England white-ball captain Buttler blasted a 22-ball 54 and raised 85 runs with fellow opener Yashasvi Jaiswal (54) before Rajasthan skipper Sanju Samson (55) joined the party.

Buttler's knock, which earned him the Player of the Match award, included three sixes but his high-risk, high-reward scoop shot was conspicuous by its absence.

"It's always my favourite shot. I'll try and play it as much as I can," the 32-year-old told teammate Yuzvendra Chahal in a post-match video after their 72-run victory.

"Unless I feel 100% to go for it, I don't try.

"Today I felt like I did not need it as much. It was not a situation where to try it, so I didn't."

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Rajasthan takes on Punjab Kings in Guwahati on Wednesday.