Picture Credit: Twitter
The much-anticipated Qualifier 1 of IPL 2022 is underway at the Eden Gardens between Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Gujarat Titans (GT). After receiving some harsh treatment from Sanju Samson at the start of the innings, Gujarat pulled things back in the middle overs.
Jos Buttler was struggling to get going with the GT bowlers keeping him cramped for room. However, the RR opener cut loose after the 15th over and started aggregating quick runs. In the process, he also played some air-borne shots, one of which almost cost him his wicket.
However, some sloppy fielding from Hardik Pandya gave Buttler a lifeline. In the 17th over of the RR innings, Buttler made some room and played a shot towards long-on. But he could not get the timing right and it seemed Pandya will complete an easy catch. However, the GT captain while trying to reach the ball, slipped on the field and saw the ball going over his head for a boundary.
Watch the video here:
Lucky Buttler redeems himself!
Although Buttler took a lot of time to set his eyes in, he ensured his long stay at the crease paid off. And luck was thoroughly on his side. He survived three close calls that could have ended his struggling inning earlier than it ended. The first catch was dropped by Mohammed Shami, then captain Hardik Pandya messed it up on the second chance GT got. The third one went down when Rashid Khan could not hold on to the ball after putting in a brilliant effort.
With luck on his side, Buttler made the most of the chances he got and scored a brilliant half-century. Although the RR opener started really slowly, he finished his innings on a high. At one stage, Buttler was reeling at 39 (38) but he put his foot on the peddle at the right time. In the end, he walked back to the pavilion after scoring 89 off 56 balls.