| Indian Premier League, Mumbai |
| Rajasthan Royals 217-5 (20 overs) Buttler 103 (61), Samson 38 (19); Narine 2-21 |
| Kolkata Knight Riders 210 (19.4 overs) Shreyas 85 (51); Chahal 5-40 |
| Royals won by seven runs |
| Scorecard |
England’s Jos Buttler continued his stunning form at the Indian Premier League with his second century of this year’s tournament for Rajasthan Royals.
Buttler, the 2022 IPL’s top run-scorer, hit 103 from 61 balls in a thrilling Royals’ win over Kolkata Knight Riders.
He became only the sixth player to score multiple hundreds in the same IPL season as his side posted 217-5.
KKR were well placed in pursuit but Yuzvendra Chahal’s hat-trick helped the Royals claim a seven-run win.
Buttler hit nine fours and five sixes before being caught at fine leg off Pat Cummins in the 17th over.
It is his third IPL ton and follows his knock of 100 against Mumbai Indians earlier in this year’s competition.
Buttler, who put on 97 for the first wicket with Devdutt Padikkal and reached three figures by hitting Australia Test captain Cummins for a big six over long-on, has scored 375 runs at an average of 75 in six matches in this IPL season.
He leads the run-scoring chart by 140 runs ahead of India and Lucknow Super Giants batter KL Rahul.
Opener Aaron Finch hit 58 from 28 and captain Shreyas Iyer a 51-ball 85 as KKR raced to 178-4, leaving them needing 40 from 24 balls.
But India spinner Chahal took four wickets in the 17th over, including Shreyas as part of his hat-trick, to swing the game in the Royals’ favour.
Number 10 Umesh Yadav smashed Trent Boult for two sixes in the next over but, with 11 needed from the final six balls, West Indies left-armer Obed McCoy took the final two wickets.
