Jos Buttler produced another sharp half-century as Gujarat Titans cruised to a seven-wicket victory over Lucknow Super Giants on Sunday. Chasing 165 at Ekana Stadium, the English wicketkeeper-batter struck 60 off 37 balls and shared a 84-run partnership for the second wicket with skipper Shubman Gill, who made 56, as Gujarat reached the target with eight balls remaining.
Buttler’s innings, studded with 11 fours, arrived right after his match-winning 52 in the previous Gujarat game. That knock helped the franchise break an extended lean spell that had included a disappointing T20 World Cup campaign in India and Sri Lanka.
Speaking after the win, Buttler said he had gone through a difficult phase over the past couple of months but was pleased to get “some good games” again. He added that some technical issues had crept into his batting, affecting his ability to pick up the ball clearly, and explained that he had been focusing on his routine before the delivery. The 35-year-old also noted that with 15 years of experience, he knows what adjustments to make once he gets in.
At this year’s T20 World Cup, Buttler managed 87 runs across eight matches for England. England were eliminated in the semi-finals last month, finishing behind eventual champions India.
Gujarat’s chase and key moments
- Buttler and Gill set the tone early in Lucknow’s chase, with both batters looking comfortable against pace and spin.
- Lucknow’s breakthrough came when Buttler was dismissed by Mohammed Shami after getting out to a slower ball.
- Although Buttler’s wicket raised a brief flicker of hope for the home side, Gill’s second consecutive fifty had already laid a strong foundation.
- With Buttler and Gill departing within six deliveries of each other, Lucknow sensed momentum, but Washington Sundar remained unbeaten on 21.
- Rahul Tewatia, on 10, held his end steady as Gujarat finished the job in 18.4 overs.
Earlier: Lucknow’s innings
Before the chase, Prasidh Krishna played a major role for Gujarat by producing his T20 best figures of 4 for 28. After being asked to bat first, Lucknow finished on 164 for 8, with Krishna helping prevent the innings from reaching a bigger total.
Lucknow’s batters did manage starts, but none converted them into a match-defining score. Aiden Markram top-scored for the side with 30, while the rest of the batting line-up struggled to sustain pressure as Gujarat’s bowlers kept taking key wickets.
