Jos Buttler made a half-century in his first innings since resigning as England’s white-ball captain however was unable to stop Gujarat Titans from slipping to an 11-run defeat by Punjab Kings within the Indian Premier League.
Buttler acknowledged he had “reached the top of the street” when he relinquished the captaincy on the Champions Trophy final month following England’s disappointing event exit.
After a comparatively lean run of scores in England colors, Buttler was again to one thing like his fluent finest as he hit 54 off 33 balls on his Titans debut.
The 34-year-old whacked 4 fours and two sixes in an innings bristling with intent earlier than he inside-edged a full supply from Marco Jansen on to his stumps.
Punjab’s imposing complete of 243-5 would, nevertheless, show past Buttler and the remainder of the Titans as Arshdeep Singh, who took 2-36, squeezed any hope on the loss of life.
Opener Sai Sudharsan top-scored for the Titans with 74 off 41 balls, whereas Sherfane Rutherford and Shubman Gill chipped in with 46 and 33 respectively.
Earlier, Punjab captain Shreyas Iyer offered the spine of the Kings’ complete with an unbeaten 97 off 42 balls.
India batter Shreyas’ knock on his Kings debut was the best of his IPL profession, featured 9 sixes and 5 fours and got here at a strike fee of 230.95.
Shreyas was unable to get on strike within the last over of Punjab’s innings – and provides himself a shot at making a maiden IPL century – as Shashank Singh pummelled Mohammed Siraj for 23 runs to complete on 44 not out off simply 16 balls.
Left-arm spinner Sai Kishore completed the choose of the Gujarat bowling assault, with 3-30 from his 4 overs.
