Rajasthan Royals (RR) opener Jos Buttler created a world record in the clash against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). For a better part of the innings, Buttler did not look in control but sensational six-hitting in last two overs helped him achieve a unique feat. The wicketkeeper-batter hit six sixes in his 70-run knock. This is the highest any batter has scored without hitting a four in his innings in the T20 format.
Till the 19th over, Buttler had hit just a six and was batting on 43 off 40 deliveries which is very unlike him. Usually destructive in powerplay overs, the English batter did not get a single boundary during fielding restrictions. His first six of the innings came off the fifth ball of the seventh over bowled by Akash Deep. He hit another six in the ninth over off Wanindu Hasaranga. After that, he could not get a boundary for nine overs.
His third six of the innings came off the fifth delivery of the penultimate over. He followed it up with another six off Mohammed Siraj to reach his half-century from 42 deliveries. He went ballistic in the final over as well. Off the free hit delivery from Akash, Buttler hit a six. He used the momentum to hit another six off the third ball of the over.
He scored 70 runs off 47 deliveries at a healthy strike rate of 148.94. However, he batted with a strike rate of 107.50 till the 18th over whereas in the last two overs, he cranked it up to 385.71.
Buttler now has the orange cap with 205 runs from three games at an average of 102.50 including one century and one half-century. He is followed by Mumbai Indians (MI) Ishan Kishan in the orange cap race.
Broke Rana’s IPL record
The previous record in IPL for most runs without a four belonged to Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) Nitish Rana who scored unbeaten 62 against Punjab Kings (PBKS). Sanju Samson (61 vs GL) and Rahul Tewatia (53 vs PBKS) have also hit a half-century without hitting a single four. Tewatia’s knock is more memorable as he hit Sheldon Cottrell for five sixes in an over.
