Buttler's Form Returns in IPL Match
Jos Buttler, the England wicketkeeper, showcased a return to form by scoring 52 runs off 27 balls for Gujarat Titans against Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League. This innings ended an 18-match streak without a fifty, a period that included a challenging T20 World Cup where he averaged just 10.9 across eight games.
Previously in this IPL season, Buttler had scored 38 runs from 33 balls and 26 runs from 14 balls in his last two innings, but his performance against Delhi indicated a closer return to his best. He began his innings with a six over long-on, followed by a four over extra cover off India spinner Axar Patel, and another six over long-on.
He continued with a trademark scoop over fine leg and a towering straight hit off seamer Mukesh Kumar, contributing to Gujarat's strong start of 63 runs in the first five overs. The 35-year-old reached his fifty in 24 balls, marking his first half-century since an unbeaten 97 in the SA20 tournament in early January. By then, he had hit five sixes.
Buttler was dismissed in the eighth over, bowled by a low-skidding delivery from India wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav. Following his dismissal, Gujarat Titans finished with a total of 210 for 4 wickets. India Test captain Shubman Gill scored 70 runs from 45 balls, while all-rounder Washington Sundar contributed 55 runs from 32 balls.
Buttler's Career Context and Upcoming Fixtures
This innings was an encouraging sign for Buttler, a former England captain and one of their most accomplished white-ball players, whose position in the national team was questioned during the World Cup. His tournament performance included five single-figure scores, yet England retained him throughout their journey to the semi-finals.
Following the IPL, Buttler is set to play in the T20 Blast for Lancashire before England's first white-ball matches of the summer against India in July. England's focus this summer will shift to the 50-over format, with the next World Cup scheduled for the autumn of 2027.
It is notable that Buttler has not scored a 50-over half-century since February 2023 and averaged 17.9 across 30 international innings in all formats during the recent winter.
