Jos Buttler made a grand return to the Sawai Mansingh Stadium against his old franchise Rajasthan Royals, smashing a blistering cameo for the Gujarat Titans in the second IPL 2025 encounter between the sides on Monday.
Sent in to bat first by Rajasthan skipper Riyan Parag, the Gujarat top-order continued their scintillating form with captain Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan setting up another formidable stand. After the opening pair added 93 runs for the first wicket, Buttler entered at No. 3 in the 11th over and immediately got down to lifting the scoring rates.
Pairing up with a menacing Gill who adeptly switched gears, Buttler sped off the blocks. The Englishman took down leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga in the 15th over, smoking three sixes and a four in a 24-run over. Buttler did not spare his England teammate Jofra Archer either, biffing two sixes and a four in the 18th over, shortly after Gill’s dismissal on 84.
Buttler then passed the loyalty test as he raised the bat with his half-century off the last ball of the innings, finishing unbeaten on 50 of 26 balls as Gujarat posted a hefty 209/4 in 20 overs.
‘Something new’
Buttler, who featured for RR in 83 games and built a stellar record with 3055 runs and four centuries during his time, recently opened up on the switch to the Titans this season.
“Playing for Gujarat Titans feels different after spending so many seasons with Rajasthan Royals and creating great memories. But I’m excited for something new—it keeps things fresh and interesting,” Buttler told on JioHotstar.
Buttler also opened up on his camarederie with Rajasthan skipper Sanju Samson over a six-year period at the franchise.
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“I’ve had a great relationship with Sanju over the years, learning a lot from him and watching how he goes about things. While time moves on and I’m now with a new franchise, I’ll always look back fondly at the friendships and memories we built — they’ll stand the test of time.”
Buttler, however, has taken no time to adapt to the Gujarat ways, bossing the middle-overs in a slightly role at No. 3. In only nine innings, Buttler has sped past 400 runs, averaging over 80 with an impressive 169.03 strike rate.
| Team | Mat | Inns | NO | 100s | 50s | Ducks | HS | Runs | Avg | S/R |
| Gujarat Titans | 9 | 9 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 97* | 406 | 81.2 | 168.46 |
| Mumbai Indians | 24 | 24 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 77 | 527 | 25.1 | 145.98 |
| Rajasthan Royals | 83 | 82 | 9 | 7 | 18 | 6 | 124 | 3055 | 41.85 | 147.8 |
| Overall (3) | 116 | 115 | 16 | 7 | 22 | 8 | 124 | 3988 | 39.78 | 149 |
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