Buttler hits fifty but Titans beaten by Kings
Jos Buttler has played 134 T20 internationals for England
- Published
Jos Buttler made a half-century in his first innings since resigning as England's white-ball captain but was unable to prevent Gujarat Titans from slipping to an 11-run defeat by Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League.
Buttler acknowledged he had "reached the end of the road" when he relinquished the captaincy at the Champions Trophy last month following England's disappointing tournament exit.
After a relatively lean run of scores in England colours, Buttler was back to something like his fluent best as he hit 54 off 33 balls on his Titans debut.
The 34-year-old whacked four fours and two sixes in an innings bristling with intent before he inside-edged a full delivery from Marco Jansen on to his stumps.
Punjab's imposing total of 243-5 would, however, prove beyond Buttler and the rest of the Titans as Vijaykumar Vyshak and Arshdeep Singh, who took 2-36, squeezed any hope at the death.
Opener Sai Sudharsan top-scored for the Titans with 74 off 41 balls, while Sherfane Rutherford and Shubman Gill chipped in with 46 and 33 respectively.
Earlier, Punjab captain Shreyas Iyer provided the backbone of the Kings' total with an unbeaten 97 off 42 balls.
India batter Shreyas' knock on his Kings debut was the highest of his IPL career, featured nine sixes and five fours and came at a strike rate of 230.95.
Shreyas was unable to get on strike in the final over of Punjab's innings - and give himself a shot at making a maiden IPL century - as Shashank Singh pummelled Mohammed Siraj for 23 runs to finish on 44 not out off just 16 balls.
Left-arm spinner Sai Kishore finished the pick of the Gujarat bowling attack, with 3-30 from his four overs.
Listen to commentary of Rajasthan Royals v Kolkata Knight Riders (14:00 GMT) on Wednesday, 26 March across BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport website and app.
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- Published31 January
