Watch: Jos Buttler blazed a return-to-form IPL century, his sixth overall, moving from 94 to 100 with a six that also sealed today’s IPL 2024 match for Rajasthan Royals against RCB.

Buttler had endured a lean run going into his 100th IPL game: his 2023 season ended with three successive ducks, while 2024 began with scores of 11, 11 and 13.

Virat Kohli’s century, his eighth in IPL, carried RCB to 183-3 in 20 overs. In response, RR lost Yashasvi Jaiswal off just the second ball, putting further pressure on Buttler to get going in the powerplay.

In the company of Sanju Samson, Buttler kept the asking rate under check, started steadily before changing gears in the middle overs. He was on 10 off 10, but reached his first 50 off 30 balls. By his 42nd ball, he had reached 75 and reached his century off his 58th, which turned out to be the final of the game.

Century, Duck, Duck, Century

Jos Buttler has scored two centuries and has been out for two ducks in his last four IPL innings.#JosButtler #RR #RRvsRCB #IPL2024 #Cricket pic.twitter.com/bo7gmcs5Hh

— Wisden India (@WisdenIndia) April 6, 2024

With one to win, Cam Green bowled a short of length ball at Buttler, who carted it over deep midwicket to reach three figures and seal the game, sparking scenes of ecstasy in the RR camp. Buttler himself leapt in the air in celebration of his first IPL ton since May 2022.

“Little bit of luck, I didn’t time it well but still managed to get it over,” he later said.

It was the third instance of players from opposite teams scoring a century in the same IPL match. Virat Kohli has been one of the batters in all three instances.

Watch Buttler reach his century with a six

4⃣ wins in 4⃣ matches for the @rajasthanroyals 🩷

And with that victory, the move to the 🔝 of the Points Table 😎💪

Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/IqTifedScU#TATAIPL | #RRvRCB pic.twitter.com/cwrUr2vmJN

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 6, 2024

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