Jos Buttler showcased his class with an unbeaten century to outshine Virat Kohli's first IPL hundred of the season as the Rajasthan Royals secured a convincing six-wicket victory over Royal Challengers Bangalore in Jaipur on Saturday.
Buttler, representing England, reached the milestone in style, smashing a six in his 100th IPL appearance, taking just 58 balls to do so. His century came at a crucial juncture for Rajasthan, requiring one run for victory in their pursuit of 184, eventually achieving the target with five balls to spare in the thrilling encounter.
The English batsman, who had struggled in the preceding three matches, managing only 35 runs, found his rhythm alongside skipper Sanju Samson, forging a formidable 148-run partnership for the second wicket. Samson also played a pivotal role, contributing 69 runs to the cause.
Reflecting on his winning shot over the deep mid-wicket fence, Buttler acknowledged the role of luck, stating, "Had a little bit of luck, did not time it well, just got over the rope, delighted with the win." He emphasised the mental aspect of the game, stressing the importance of perseverance and luck in one's cricket journey.
Earlier in the match, Kohli showcased his prowess by notching his eighth IPL century, the highest by any batsman, scoring an unbeaten 113 runs off 67 balls to propel Bangalore to a competitive total of 183-3.
Despite Kohli's heroics, Rajasthan maintained their unbeaten streak in the season, securing their fourth win and claiming the top spot in the 10-team table.
Buttler's century, his sixth in the IPL played a pivotal role in Rajasthan's victory, setting the stage for their dominance in the ongoing tournament.
Buttler's innings commenced slowly, but he accelerated his pace by hammering Mayank Dagar for three fours and a six in the sixth over, laying the foundation for the successful chase.
Samson's aggressive approach complemented Buttler's innings, entertaining the home crowd with exquisite strokeplay, comprising 16 fours and five sixes between the duo.
Although Rajasthan encountered a slight hiccup post-Samson's departure, losing two quick wickets, Buttler remained resolute, guiding his team to victory alongside Shimron Hetmyer.
Kohli, on the other hand, expressed his batting philosophy, highlighting the importance of balance and maturity in his approach. Despite his stellar performance, Bangalore couldn't secure the win, with Kohli still awaiting his elusive IPL title with the franchise.
