At a packed stadium in Southampton on Saturday, Jos Buttler reminded the cricket world exactly why he's considered one of the greatest white-ball batters on the planet. The 35-year-old smashed 131 runs off just 64 balls, leading England to a dominant 56-run victory over India in the fifth and final T20 international match.
England posted 257 runs for the loss of just three wickets — their third-highest T20 international score ever and their highest ever total against India. Buttler's innings was a masterclass in timing and power, featuring clever use of the scoop shot and powerful strokes all around the ground. After making his fifty off 34 balls, he accelerated dramatically, reaching his century in just 17 more deliveries by pulling spinner Axar Patel over square leg for six.
The highlight of England's innings came from an extraordinary partnership between Buttler and captain Harry Brook. Together, they added 233 runs for the second wicket — a new England T20 record and a world record for any second-wicket partnership in T20 international cricket. Brook, who turned 26 this month, scored 95 runs not out off just 45 deliveries, including multiple towering sixes that had the crowd on their feet.
"Seeing one of the greatest white-ball batters back in full flow was a thrilling sight for the Southampton crowd," the report noted.
The win also completed a remarkable series sweep. England won all four matches they played, with one game rained off. It marks the first time India have gone completely winless through a five-match T20 series — an remarkable fall from grace for the reigning T20 world champions, who also lost their number one world ranking to England as a result.
For Buttler personally, the century was especially sweet. Coming into Saturday's match, he had gone 18 consecutive innings without scoring a fifty in T20 international cricket, averaging just over 15 runs per innings. His performance was hailed as a roaring comeback.
Brook's leadership throughout the series also impressed, with the young captain rotating his bowlers effectively and then delivering with the bat himself, including an unbeaten 79 in the fourth match in Bristol.
The two teams will now turn their attention to a five-match one-day international series, which begins at Edgbaston on Tuesday.