Rajasthan Royals’ (RR) opening batter Jos Buttler blasted his sixth IPL hundred. He powered his team to a six-wicket triumph over the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on April 6. Buttler roared back into form. His batting heroics propelled RR to victory.
Chasing 184 runs, RR’s innings started poorly with Yashasvi Jaiswal dismissed for a duck. However, Jos Buttler and Sanju Samson then stitched a crucial 148-run partnership for the second wicket. This partnership took RR close to the finish line. Their batting heroics sealed RR’s win.
Although RCB managed to get back into the game, however late, Buttler remained at one end of the crease at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium. Shimron Hetmyer’s brief appearance nearly secured the victory for RR. Buttler, on strike at 94 runs, had the potential to reach three figures with the scores equal.
Buttler hit Green for six, reaching his fifty and keeping Rajasthan Royals unbeaten. Social media erupted with praise for Buttler’s innings. Many compared it to Kohli’s century in the game’s first innings. Twitter reactions:
“Just a matter of time till he gets included in the same category as Chris Gayle, David Warner, and AB Devillers,” a user wrote
“Buttler back in form is going to be scary for other teams,” another user wrote
“Buttler fined 90% of match fees for Playing fast on slow pitch,” a sarcastic tweet from another user read
“However long you’ve played the game, you still have those anxieties and stresses” – Jos Buttler
Buttler has only scored 35 runs in three matches before facing RCB, with his top score of 13 against the Mumbai Indians. With Yashasvi Jaiswal battling for runs on the other end, it was critical for RR that one of their openers find form.
While this may not be Buttler’s most memorable knock, its relevance is what sets it apart. He was dropped early in his innings, but he took advantage of his second opportunity, scoring nine fours and four sixes in an undefeated innings.
“Had a little bit of luck, did not time it well, just got over the rope, delighted with the win. However long you’ve played the game, you still have those anxieties and stresses. The mind is a powerful thing, just keep digging in, keep working hard and you need a little bit of luck along the way.
“At some point it will be okay and sometimes you have to tell yourself it will be okay. I did feel really good in the last game, even though I got 13.”
Jos Buttler
RR will play the Gujarat Titans (GT) at home on Wednesday, April 10.