IPL 2022: Jos Buttler plays boss again

Jos Buttler celebrates his century against Delhi Capitals yesterday. PIC/BCCI; IPL

If Jos Buttler's 100 against Mumbai Indians was wow-worthy and the 103 against Kolkata Knight Riders was imperious, then his 65-ball 116 against Delhi Capitals on Friday was simply majestic. The Rajasthan Royals opener slammed his second consecutive ton and his third of the IPL-15 as the Englishman hammered the DC bowlers as if he was playing Stick Cricket.

RR posted 222-2 in 20 overs to better their own mark of 217 against KKR in the last game. At the time of going to press, Delhi Capitals were 95-2 after nine overs with Prithvi Shaw 35 not out and Rishabh Pant unbeaten on 22. Buttler is in brutal form this season, amassing 491 runs in seven games inclusive of three centuries and two half-centuries. His Friday century was laced with nine fours and as many sixes. That Buttler was in a destructive mood could be gauged from the fact that a new ball had to be called four times in 11 overs.

Paddikal cuts loose

It was Buttler's opening partner Devdutt Padikkal (54 off 35 balls) who loosened the tight leash the DC bowlers applied till the third over with RR scoring just 12 runs. Padikkal slammed three consecutive fours for the tsunami of runs to follow.

Buttler and Padikkal dealt in fours and sixes primarily. Buttler, after being beaten a few times in the opening over, took left-arm pacer Khaleel Ahmed to the cleaners in his second over, scoring 15 runs which included two sixes as RR ended the Powerplay with 44-0. Buttler toyed with the DC bowlers, leaving no corner of the ground unutilised.

The six (107 metres) in the top tier of the Wankhede off Shardul Thakur was simply jaw-dropping. The length ball was whipped away to the long-on fence with disdain. Buttler again showcased his power-hitting prowess when he flicked Kuldeep Yadav over midwicket in his third over.

Pant brought in his best bowler of the Powerplay, Lalit Yadav, who conceded just six runs in two overs, but he too was not spared as 17 runs were taken off his third over. Buttler brought up his half-century when he pushed away a low full toss to cover region off Lalit. DC had a rare opportunity to dismiss Buttler, but the fielder at deep mid-wicket was not on the boundary line. The result was a six.

RR's big opening stand

RR enjoyed a 155-run opening stand as Padikkal brought up his 50 with a boundary off Axar Patel. DC finally had their first breakthrough in the 16th over when Padikkal was trapped leg before by Khaleel.

Brief scores
RR 222-2 in 20 overs (J Buttler 116, D Padikkal 54, S Samson 46'; K Ahmed 1-47, M Rahman 1-43) v DC (scores incomplete)