In a nerve-wracking showdown that pushed Rajasthan Royals to the brink, it was Jos Buttler who stood tall, facing the final ball of the match with the fate of his team hanging in the balance. Despite battling physical pain and challenging playing conditions, Jos Buttler’s unbeaten knock of 107 runs off just 60 balls propelled Rajasthan Royals to a stunning last-ball victory against Kolkata Knight Riders.
Jos Buttler’s remarkable innings shattered multiple records, including his seventh IPL century and third in a successful run-chase, making him the leading batter in such scenarios. Rajasthan Royals chased down the joint-highest score in IPL history and recorded the most runs in the last six overs of a successful chase, among other achievements.
Despite his eventual heroics, Buttler’s innings didn’t start smoothly. Struggling to find his rhythm in the middle, he faced Sunil Narine’s relentless bowling onslaught and found himself tottering at 42 runs off 33 balls by the 14th over. With wickets tumbling at the other end, Buttler faced the daunting task of mounting a comeback with nearly a hundred runs required in the last eight overs.
The turning point came in the 15th over when Buttler unleashed his assault on Varun Chakaravarthy, smashing four boundaries to kickstart the remarkable chase. Throughout his innings, Buttler battled self-doubt and frustration, drawing inspiration from cricketing legends like MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli, as well as advice from Kumar Sangakkara to stay patient and trust the process.
Buttler’s heroic performance didn’t go unnoticed, with teammate Rovman Powell praising his resilience and the team’s support staff for getting him fit for the contest despite his foot injury. Despite Narine’s impressive performance, Buttler’s final act stole the spotlight and secured a memorable victory for Rajasthan Royals.
In a game filled with breathtaking moments and record-breaking performances, Buttler’s innings stood out as a testament to his champion mindset and unwavering determination to lead his team to victory.