England and Gujarat Titans wicketkeeper-batter Jos Buttler has agreed to a three-year extension with his Vitality Blast T20 franchise, Lancashire Lightning. Buttler is currently in India featuring in the IPL, with Gujarat Titans having booked a place in the playoffs, while his recent form in the league has picked up after an uneven start to the 2026 campaign.
Key takeaways
- Jos Buttler has signed a three-year extension with Lancashire Lightning for the Vitality Blast.
- He is playing IPL 2026 in India, and Gujarat Titans have qualified for the playoffs.
- After early struggles in IPL 2026, Buttler has scored a half-century in each of GT’s last two matches.
- Across 14 IPL matches so far, Buttler has 302 runs at an average of 39.08 and a strike rate of 155.30.
- His Blast deal runs alongside his ECB central contract with England and Wales.
- Lancashire’s Vitality Blast has begun this past Friday, with a heavy opening defeat to Surrey followed by a match against Nottinghamshire on Monday.
Buttler’s IPL form after a rocky start
Buttler’s IPL 2026 began with some inconsistency, but his performances have improved in the team’s latest outings. In Gujarat Titans’ most recent two matches, he found the rhythm again and struck a fifty in both games.
By the time of these updates, the 35-year-old has played 14 IPL matches, compiling 302 runs at an average of 39.08. His scoring rate stands at 155.30, reflecting a blend of momentum and acceleration as the season has progressed.
A new Vitality Blast deal with Lancashire
The wicketkeeper-batter’s three-year agreement with Lancashire Lightning will run alongside his existing central contract with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). Buttler, who lifted the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in 2019 and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2022 with England, expressed satisfaction at continuing his association with the franchise.
He said that pulling on the “Red Rose” always carries special meaning, even though his international and franchise schedule limits how often he can be around. Buttler added that whenever he gets the opportunity to play or spend time with the group, it remains something he genuinely values.
Buttler also looked back on his earlier success with Lancashire, noting that winning the Blast with the club in 2015 was a proud milestone for him and for the organisation. He said it would be great to help drive another period of achievement in the seasons ahead.
He concluded by saying he is delighted to extend his T20 contract and is eager to contribute on the field, while doing his part to support the squad as they push for Vitality Blast success over the next few years.
Lancashire react to securing Buttler again
Lancashire’s management welcomed the extension as a major boost for the club. Mark Chilton, the team’s Director of Cricket Performance, said having a player of Buttler’s calibre and experience linked to Lancashire Cricket is hugely important and beneficial.
Chilton acknowledged that Buttler’s availability may be restricted to short windows each season, but argued that his influence within the group still matters significantly. He pointed to the standards Buttler sets and the perspective he brings from operating at the very top level, suggesting it can make a tangible difference for younger players and the franchise’s overall performances in the Blast.
Vitality Blast schedule and timing with IPL
The Vitality Blast is already underway. Lancashire opened their campaign this past Friday and suffered a tough defeat against Surrey. The club now turns its attention to Nottinghamshire, with the next fixture scheduled for Monday.
Meanwhile, the IPL is set to finish on May 31. If Gujarat Titans make it through to the final, Lancashire will have to wait longer for Buttler’s return, which could affect when the star wicketkeeper-batter can help boost their chances in the Blast’s later stages.
