Buttler’s ton takes RR to 222/2

Mumbai, April 22 : Jos Buttler’s third IPL 2022 century powered Rajasthan Royals to 222/2, the season’s highest total, against Delhi Capitals here at the Wankhede Stadium on Friday. Buttler now has four tons in 71 innings in his all-time IPL career, needing one to move past Virat Kohli (5 hundreds in 206 innings) and two more to displace Chris Gayle (6 centuries in 141 innings). Rajasthan Royals openers Buttler (116 off 65) and Devdutt Padikkal (54 off 35) took calculated risk after being put into bat, with Buttler playing second fiddle to Padikkal thanks to Shardul Thakur who conceded just six runs in his two overs in the powerplay. Buttler, who was relatively slow initially, caught up with Padikkal once the restrictions were lifted. Although Rajasthan Royals scored 87 runs in the first 10 overs, their batters were merciless in their approach against Delhi Capitals bowlers. Some poor fielding on Delhi Capitals’ part besides Khaleel Ahmed (4/47), Mustafizur Rahman (4/43), Lalit Yadav (4/41) and Kuldeep Yadav (3/40) leaking too many runs added to Royals’ advantage. Khaleel finally gave Capitals some relief as he ended the 155-run opening partnership. The left-arm pacer trapped Padikkal soon after his fifty on the first delivery of the 16th over. Skipper Sanju Samson joined Buttler for the final five overs, which saw Royals add 67 runs. The Englishman raced to his century off 57 balls. In the penultimate over, Mustafizur got rid of Buttler, whose 65-ball innings was decorated with nine sixes and nine boundaries. Shardul, who wasn’t handed the ball after the powerplay, returned for the final over, raising questions surrounding Rishabh Pant’s captaincy plans. Samson smashed 18 runs, including two fours and one maximum, to finish on 46 not out off 19 balls.

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