And then Buttler went on a flurry of boundaries to help push the run rate up after his half-century.
As an outfielder, Hardik Pandya is electrifying to watch and a solid one when it comes to diving for balls. In the IPL 2022 Qualifier 1 match between Gujarat Titans and Rajasthan Royals on Tuesday, Hardik Pandya faltered at a critical point. Despite Sanju Samson’s stunning 47 in 26 balls, the Gujarat bowlers were able to keep the Royals batsmen in check.
Jos Buttler, Rajasthan’s leading scorer this season, was disappointingly out of sorts on the night as he struggled to get going. While Buttler’s strike rate was low, he persevered for the benefit of his team.
When Buttler was on 43 from 39 balls in the 17th over, he attempted to hit left-arm medium-pacer Yash Dayal over long-off where Hardik was defending.
While trying to retreat to take an easy catch, the Gujarat Titans captain stumbled and collapsed, causing the ball to go to the boundary.
Gujarat Titans’ Jos Buttler loses his wicket after Hardik Pandya’s slip
To boost the team’s run pace, Buttler completed his half-century and then went on an avalanche of boundaries.
Later, in the 19th over, he struck Mohammed Shami for two boundaries and sixes to put his team past 170.
After being dropped by Shami and Rashid Khan, Buttler made 89 before being run-out to assist Rajasthan Royal’s record 188/6 in their 20 overs in the Indian Premier League.
Hardik couldn’t help but smile as he realized that this may be a game-changing blunder in a vital match.
