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Rajasthan Royals (RR) opener Jos Buttler scored a scintillating ton against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in Qualifier 2 of the ongoing IPL 2022 at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Friday, May 27.
The right-handed batter hit 10 fours and 6 sixes in his unbeaten knock of 106 helping RR chase down 158 with seven wickets in hand and 11 balls to spare. With this win, the Royals have booked a place in the IPL 2022 final, where they will face Gujarat Titans (GT) on Sunday (May 29) at the same venue.
After RR’s massive victory, RCB’s hope of lifting their maiden trophy under Faf du Plessis was shattered.
Following the heart-breaking loss, the Bangalore-based franchise posted a touching tweet on Shane Warne which won many hearts on social media.
“The Great late Shane Warne is smiling on you. Well played tonight,@rajasthanroyals and good luck for the final,” tweeted RCB and RR responded with a two-heart emoji.
💗♥️
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) May 27, 2022
This was the first time since 2008 that RR finished in the top-2 in the league stage of an IPL season and for the first time since the inaugural season they reached the final. The famous 2008 team was captained by Warne, who passed away earlier this year.
‘It is hard to describe what Buttler has done for the franchise this season’: Kumar Sangakkara
Speaking at a press conference after the second Qualifier, RR Director of Cricket, Kumar Sangakkara said it is hard to describe what Buttler has done for the franchise this season and he ‘cannot remember anyone else batting like him’ in the history of the tournament.
“It is hard to describe what he has done for us this season in terms of T20 batting. He started off so well, he had a little bit of flutter at one point in the tournament, but then you know he calmed himself down and had a lot of good conversations rather than just training. He accepted that he is a mortal, he is a human and he can’t be at that high level of excellence every single day,” said Sangakkara.
“And to understand how you kind of reach that level every game at different stages, somedays you have to fight and look ugly, other days your rhythm is there and the reality is that you cannot fight the condition, you just have to settle into it and build the innings. He can accelerate at any point; he has got all the strokes. He is a lovely guy and he understands the game really well. I cannot remember anyone batting this well in the history of the IPL,” the Sri Lankan legend stated further.