03 Apr, 2025 | 09:17 AM
In a game between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans, Jos Buttler's early misstep turned into a defining moment for both him and his team. The Gujarat Titans wicketkeeper dropped a simple catch off Phil Salt in the first over of the match. But instead of letting the mistake haunt him, Buttler channeled his embarrassment into a blistering innings that helped GT clinch victory.
Having been averaging an impressive 94.66 against RCB since IPL 2022, Buttler found the dropped catch to be the motivation he needed. The England star, who has faced a challenging period in his international career, delivered a match-winning knock of 73* off 39 balls, leading Gujarat to a dominant chase. His powerful display with the bat featured five fours and six sixes, showcasing his signature attacking style.
Reflecting on his performance, Buttler admitted feeling "pretty embarrassed" after the missed opportunity, especially considering Salt's dangerous reputation as a player. "I was trying to throw it up to earlier, a bit like Herschelle Gibbs style, but I barely got a glove on it. It hit me in the chest. But due to that embarrassment, I was pretty determined to try and score some runs," Buttler explained after the game.
Despite his early drop, Buttler acknowledged the efforts of his bowlers, as Gujarat restricted RCB to 169. "I thought the bowlers did a fantastic job. We probably could have fielded a bit better, especially myself. If I had done better, we would have been chasing fewer runs," he added.
This knock was a reminder of the destructive force Buttler can be. His previous six innings against RCB prior to this match had been impressive, with scores reading 100*, 0, 0, 106*, 8, and 70*. But on Wednesday night, it was the former Rajasthan Royals opener that returned to his finest form, playing with freedom and intent.
"I had a few months of pretty unenjoyable cricket, so trying to make sure I'm out there giving my best. Obviously, it's a new team, new franchise, and I'm excited to be here," Buttler stated.
Buttler's move to Gujarat Titans in the IPL auction last November for INR 15.75 crore had seen him assume a new role at No. 3, differing from his usual opening position at Rajasthan Royals. However, his role change has been a success, with the England star now sitting as the third-highest run-scorer of IPL 2025 with 166 runs at a striking 172.91 rate.
With Gujarat Titans now sitting fourth in the points table with two wins from three games, Buttler and his team look ahead to their next challenge against Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 6.
