England's wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler has achieved a significant milestone in international cricket during the fifth T20 International match against India. By scoring a magnificent century, Buttler has officially surpassed the legendary Indian cricketer Virat Kohli to become the third-highest run-scorer in the history of T20 International cricket. This achievement came during a high-octane match where Buttler's batting brilliance was on full display against the Indian bowling lineup.
Buttler's Explosive Century and Match Performance
In the fifth and final match of the series, Jos Buttler was in exceptional form. He reached his century in just 51 balls, showcasing his ability to dominate the game from the outset. Buttler continued his onslaught and eventually finished with a powerful score of 131 runs off 64 deliveries before being dismissed. His innings was the backbone of England's massive total. Alongside Buttler, England's captain Harry Brook played a stellar role, remaining unbeaten on 95 runs. Their combined efforts propelled England to a formidable total of 257 runs for the loss of 3 wickets in their allotted 20 overs.
Statistical Comparison: Buttler vs Kohli
Before the start of this match, Jos Buttler needed 108 runs to overtake Virat Kohli's career tally in T20 Internationals. With his 131-run knock, he comfortably moved ahead of the former Indian captain.
- Virat Kohli: In his T20I career, Kohli played 125 matches and scored 4188 runs. His record includes 1 century and 38 half-centuries.
- Jos Buttler: Following this match, Buttler has now played 160 matches and accumulated 4212 runs. His career tally includes 2 centuries and 28 half-centuries.
The Global Leaderboard and Future Targets
With this milestone, Jos Buttler now occupies the third position on the list of all-time leading run-scorers in T20 Internationals. The top of the list is currently held by Pakistan's Babar Azam, who has scored 4596 runs in 145 matches, including 3 centuries and 39 fifties. The second spot is held by India's former captain Rohit Sharma, who has 4231 runs from 159 matches, featuring 5 centuries and 32 fifties.
Buttler is now within striking distance of moving further up the rankings. He needs only 20 more runs in his next T20 International appearance to surpass Rohit Sharma and claim the second spot. To become the all-time leading run-scorer by overtaking Babar Azam, Buttler requires another 385 runs.
England Clinches Series 4-0
The fifth T20 match concluded with a convincing 56-run victory for England, allowing them to secure the series 4-0. Chasing a massive target of 258, Team India could only manage to score 201 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in 20 overs. The series had a difficult start as the first match was washed out due to rain, but England dominated the subsequent four matches to ensure a clean sweep. The Indian team struggled to keep pace with the required run rate, resulting in four consecutive defeats following the initial washout.