Rajasthan Royals (RR) star Jos Buttler revealed that he told Rahul Tewatia not to worry about his century during the run-chase in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 clash against Delhi Capitals at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Buttler played an unbeaten 97-run match-winning knock against DC that helped the Shubman Gill-led side to register a comfortable seven-wicket win.
Speaking after the match in the post-match presentation, Buttler said, "Really pleased with the two points. It was a beautiful wicket to bat on; we just wanted to try and take it deep and pick our moments to attack. We have built some nice partnerships along the way. I told Rahul not to worry about my score; we have to win. Credit to him, he has done that over the last few years, where he can find the fence from ball one."
He was also all praises for his batting partner, Rutherford, lauding his "six-hitting out of nowhere".
"His sixes off Mohit changed the game and the momentum," he added.
On facing cramps during his knock, Buttler said, "It is hot; I am surprised how much fluid you need and how draining it is.
Cramping up and stuff. Part of the game is that you have got to be fit and perform under pressure and heat. (On his diving catch) I have performed poorly in the first six games; I was determined to try and do better. Always nice when you manage to hang on to one like that."
In IPL 2025, Buttler scored 315 runs in seven outings at an average of 63.00 and a strike rate of 164.06, with three half-centuries. His best score is 97*.
Coming back to the match, GT won the toss and opted to bowl. A quickfire start from Karun Nair (31 in 18 balls, with two fours and two sixes) and KL Rahul (28 in 14 balls, with four boundaries and a six), a half-century stand between Axar Patel (39 in 32 balls, with a four and two sixes) and Tristan Stubbs (with two fours and a six) and fine finishing by Ashutosh Sharma (37 in 19 balls, with two fours and three sixes) took DC to 203/8 in 20 overs.
Prasidh Krishna (4/41) was the pick of the bowlers for GT, while Mohammed Siraj, Arshad Khan, Ishant Sharma, and Sai Kishore got a wicket each.
During the run-chase, GT lost captain Shubman Gill early, however, Buttler (97* in 54 balls, with 11 fours and four sixes) and his partnerships with Sudharsan (36 in 21 balls, with five fours and a six) and Rutherford (43 in 34 balls, with a four and three sixes) took GT to a seven-wicket win with four balls left.