Jos Buttler put on a show with the bat in Rajasthan Royals’ (RR) thrilling two-wicket victory over Kolkata Knight Riders (RR) in Match 31 of the IPL 2024 season at the Eden Gardens on Tuesday (April 16).
Chasing a daunting target of 224, RR found themselves in a precarious position at 121/6 in the 13th over. However, Buttler, who came out to open the innings, produced 107* off 60 balls and stayed till the end to see his team through on the final delivery.
It was Buttler's second century of the season. He reached the three-figure mark with a crucial six off Varun Chakravarthy at the start of the final over when RR needed 9 runs to seal the deal.
After the game, RR skipper Sanju Samson hailed Jos Buttler as a special player while also adding that no target is safe when the England batter is on song.
"Very happy with the win. We were wondering like the wickets we lost ... six down and then Rovman came in and hit those couple of sixes and that's when we felt like we were still in the game. It's a beautiful way to come back, some luck also, it's a very funny game. They also played really well. Expected something similar, an exciting game tonight, very happy for it. The quality of spin which they had in Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy, they bowled really well. This ground and the wicket actually was suiting them really well," Samson said in the post-match interaction.
"We were wondering where can get those couple of sixes and that's when Rovman came in. Jos did what he does for us from last 6-7 years, very happy for him. It (Buttler's knock) should go right on top. Being an opener, if Jos gets in, we all know at the dug-out that he'll be there till the 20th over. If he's batting till the 20th over, no runs are unchaseable. He does something special," he added.
Buttler’s unbeaten knock, studded with 9 boundaries and 6 sixes, propelled him past Chris Gayle to claim the second spot in the list of players with the most IPL centuries, with a total of seven, trailing only behind Virat Kohli's eight.
With this victory, Rajasthan Royals strengthened their position at the top of the points table featuring 10 teams. They will next face Mumbai Indians in Jaipur on April 22.
