Left Arm Around

107 not out from 60 balls. 7th IPL century. Game won. A place in the history books secured.

If you’ve watched Jos Buttler enough, you’ll know he’s a man for the big occasion. A man who likes to show his best when the chips are down.

But after a disastrous ODI World Cup campaign with England last year, where the defending champions failed to reach the semi-finals under Buttler’s tutelage, questions were raised about the form and confidence of the white-ball superstar.

Was he burnt out? Did the pressure become too much? Is this a player on a decline who isn’t what he once was?

Fast forward to the beginning of this IPL season and the critics became louder.

With just 35 runs in three innings, coming at under a run-a-ball, Buttler again looked out of sorts as he searched for a return to form.

A majestic century followed a game later with the Royals chasing 187 against a below average RCB attack, however what truly demonstrates he’s back to his destructive best is the manner of his performance against Kolkata Knight Riders yesterday.

No matter the situation, striking an unbeaten hundred to win a game is special.

However here, as the wickets tumbled around him and the required rate rose, he remained calm and unfazed in pursuit of a monumental 224 target.

Needing 96 from 35 and later 46 from the final 18 balls- with only three wickets left- Buttler shepherded the chase to sheer perfection to claw his side over the line off the final ball of the match.

At one point he was 42 from 34 and struggling for rhythm, yet without ever panicking, he moved through the gears to smash 65 runs from his last 26 balls.

The likes of Rovman Powell and an in-form Riyan Parag provided more than useful support, but in a game that was almost dead and buried, the Englishman pulled off a heist reminiscent of a bank robbery to give the Royals a sixth victory in seven matches so far.

As his teammates streamed onto the field in jubilation, hugging and bowing to Buttler’s genius in equal measure, it is clear that he is respected and valued hugely.

And a man that needs to be wrapped in cotton wool having shown signs of an injured leg towards the back end of the innings.

Oppositions beware- this is a guy that achieves things very few others can.

Hunting a first IPL title since the inaugural tournament in 2008, the Royals’ team and fans will be looking for Buttler to continue his heroics.

Should he do that, Sanju Samson’s men will be a difficult unit will be extremely tough to stop.

Lastly, spare a thought for Sunil Narine.

He hit a great ton of his own and took two important wickets, yet still ended up on a losing side.

Cricket can be a cruel sport…