TATA IPL 2024: Buttler's 107 Leads RR to Thrilling 2-Wicket Win Over KKR

Returning to the team as a key substitute following an injury, Jos Buttler delivered a remarkable unbeaten century to propel Rajasthan Royals to their joint-highest successful chase in Indian Premier League (IPL) history against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens. Buttler's explosive innings saw him score 107 runs off just 60 balls, comprising nine boundaries and six sixes, as Rajasthan Royals reached 224/8 in their allotted 20 overs. This came after Sunil Narine's sensational maiden IPL century, a rapid 56-ball 109, had powered KKR to a formidable total of 223/6.

Despite facing a daunting situation at 121/6 in the 13th over, Rajasthan Royals witnessed a remarkable turnaround thanks to Jos Buttler, who found a valuable partner in Rovman Powell. Powell's quickfire 26 off 13 balls sparked a spirited counter-attack, revitalizing their chase. Despite displaying signs of exhaustion and struggling with a limp, Buttler continued his exceptional batting display. This innings marked his second century of the season, following his recent hundred against RCB. He reached the milestone in 55 balls, effectively guiding Rajasthan Royals to a sensational victory while managing the lower-order batsmen. This victory ensured their continued dominance atop the standings with 12 points from seven matches, while KKR remained at eight points from six matches.

Chasing a big target, Rajasthan Royals bolstered their batting by bringing in Jos Buttler as an Impact Substitute. However, they were soon in trouble as fellow opener Yashasvi Jaiswal was out for 19 off nine balls with the team score reading 22/1 in the second over. Jaiswal hammered three fours and one six in his brief innings, indicating that RR was going to go for the target. Jos Buttler and Sanju Samson took the score to 47 before the skipper went back to the dug-out, unable to capitalize on life as he could manage only 12 off eight balls.

Buttler finally found a willing partner in young Riyan Parag as they raised fifty runs in 21 balls to take the score to 97. Parag blazed to 34 off 14 balls, hitting four boundaries and two maximums as they kept Rajasthan in the hunt. He struck a six and a four off Vaibhav Arora and handed the same treatment to Harshit Rana in the eighth over. However, he was out at the most inappropriate time for RR as Rana had his revenge as he holed out to Andre Russell at deep midwicket.

Rajasthan Royals suffered a collapse in the middle overs, losing three quick wickets as Dhruv Jurel (2), Ravichandran Ashwin (8) and Shimron Hetmyer (0) fell in quick succession, as Varun Chakravarthy claimed two wickets off successive balls. But just when it looked like KKR was getting into the driver's seat, Jos Buttler, who was waging a lone battle, found a willing partner in Rovman Powell as they raised a 57-run partnership in double-quick times as they gave chase in right earnest. Powell blasted 26 off 13 balls before he was trapped by Sunil Narine.

Buttler unleashed his power against Harshit Rana, smashing two sixes and a four in quick succession before grabbing a double and a single off the last two deliveries, accumulating 19 crucial runs in the penultimate over. As the tension mounted, KKR captain Shreyas Iyer turned to Varun Chakravarthy to deliver the final over. With nine runs needed off six balls, Buttler hammered a resounding six to bring up his century. Despite Chakravarthy's efforts with three consecutive dot balls, Buttler managed to guide the ball to wide long-off for a couple of runs, leveling the scores. In a thrilling climax, Buttler scampered for a single off the last delivery, clinching a dramatic victory for Rajasthan Royals.