Image source, ReutersImage caption, Buttler was part of the England squad that won the 2019 World Cup and was captain for their victory in the T20 edition in 2022
ByMatthew HenryBBC Sport journalist- Published36 minutes ago
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England wicketkeeper Jos Buttler found some form with 52 from 27 balls for Gujarat Titans against Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League.
Buttler had gone 18 innings without a fifty, including a difficult run at the T20 World Cup where he averaged 10.87 across eight matches.
Buttler had made 38 from 33 balls and a 14-ball 26 in his previous innings at this year's IPL but looked far closer to his best form in Delhi.
His first runs came with a six over long-on and he followed by hitting India spinner Axar Patel for four over extra cover and another six over long-on.
He then played a trademark scoop over fine leg and another towering straight hit off seamer Mukesh Kumar as Gujarat took 63 from the first five overs.
The 35-year-old reached his fifty, his first since 97 not out in the SA20 in early January, in 24 balls, by which time he had hit five sixes.
He was then dismissed in the eighth over when he bowled by a ball from India wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav which skidded low.
It was still an encouraging return for former captain Buttler - one of England's greatest white-ball players but whose place in the national side came under scrutiny during the World Cup.
His tournament included a run of five single-figure scores but England stuck with him throughout their run to the semi-finals.
After the IPL, Buttler will play in the T20 Blast for Lancashire before England's first white-ball matches of the summer against India in July.
England's focus switches to the 50-over format this summer with the next World Cup the one-day international edition in the autumn of 2027.
Buttler has not scored a 50-over fifty since February 2023. He averaged 17.88 across 30 international innings across formats this winter.
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- Published16 August 2025
