In the first face-off of the 2024 Indian Premier League season, Rajasthan Royals found themselves in a daunting chase against Kolkata Knight Riders, requiring 46 runs from the last 16 deliveries to reach an improbable target of 224. Despite the mounting pressure and a steep asking rate, the Knight Riders weren’t complacent at Eden Gardens. Their wariness stemmed from the formidable presence of Jos Buttler at the crease, batting confidently on 67 runs off 47 balls for the Royals.
Buttler’s Magic Snatched Victory From KKR:
As pinch-hitter Sunil Narine stunned with his maiden T20 century, propelling Kolkata Knight Riders to yet another formidable total at home, Rajasthan Royals supporters anticipated Jos Buttler’s return to replicate his batting heroics at Eden Gardens. True to expectations, Buttler, upon his comeback, delivered a stellar performance, once again overshadowing a centurion in the league. The Englishman’s consistency and brilliance at the crease ensured another memorable victory for Rajasthan Royals against Kolkata Knight Riders.
Rajasthan Royals’ dependable batter remained steadfast in his self-confidence during their remarkable record-breaking pursuit against the two-time champions. Despite the daunting challenge, he never wavered in his belief, contributing significantly to Rajasthan’s memorable victory in the high-pressure encounter.
Buttler After The Magical Victory:
In a noteworthy turn of events, Buttler drew inspiration from cricket legends MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli to steer his team out of a challenging situation. Speaking with former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar during the post-match presentation, Buttler confessed to facing rhythm issues during the run-chase. Nonetheless, he employed strategies akin to those of Dhoni and Kohli, ultimately orchestrating a memorable victory for the Rajasthan Royals.
Buttler said, “Keep believing, that was the real key today. I was struggling a bit for rhythm. At times you feel frustrated or you are questioning yourself. I tell myself it’s okay, keep going, you’ll get your rhythm back and try to stay calm. There’s been plenty of times throughout the IPL, you’ve seen crazy things happen. Guys like Dhoni and Kohli, the way they stay till the end and keep believing and I tried to do the same.”
He further said, “That’s something Sangakkara has told me a lot – there’s always a breaking point. The worse thing you can do is to not fight and give your wicket away. He (Sangakkara) just tells me to stay there and at some point, the momentum will change. That’s been a big part of my play over the last few years.”
Buttler’s Outclass Against RCB As Well:
Before Rajasthan Royals faced off against Kolkata Knight Riders in Kolkata, Jos Buttler showcased his prowess by outshining Virat Kohli in a thrilling encounter against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Buttler’s remarkable century in Jaipur propelled Rajasthan to victory, overshadowing Kohli’s performance. However, Buttler’s subsequent absence in the following fixture against Punjab Kings due to a minor injury raised concerns. Despite his niggle persisting, RR strategically utilized the Impact Player rule, allowing Buttler to contribute solely as a batsman in the clash against KKR. This decision aimed to maximize Buttler’s impact while minimizing the risk of exacerbating his injury by keeping him away from fielding duties.
Jos Buttler Creates History:
Much like Kohli, Narine left no stone unturned to bolster his team’s total, crafting a rapid 109 off 56 deliveries against RR. However, in the thrilling run chase, Jos dominated the KKR bowlers with a majestic 107 off 60 balls, eclipsing the century-maker’s efforts. Buttler’s extraordinary strike rate of over 178 also shattered Kohli’s IPL record. Surpassing Kohli’s tally, Buttler now holds the record for the most centuries in IPL run-chases with his third century.
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