Jos Buttler created history during the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) clash on Wednesday (April 8) between Gujarat Titans and Rajasthan Royals (RR) as he returned to form in style with a fine knock of 52 runs in just 27 balls as the Englishman gave his team a quick start after the Capitals won the toss and chose to bowl first.
The 35-year-old helped the Titans post 67 runs in the powerplay, with 47 of them coming out off his own bat, which included five sixes.
Buttler walked out to bat in the third over after Mukesh Kumar dismissed Sai Sudharsan. The modern-day legend took the attack to the home team from the start and ended up making 52 runs in just balls before Kuldeep Yadav struck timber and got his wicket. This was not just the wicketkeeper-batter’s first half-century of the season but the first instance of him reaching the milestone in T20 cricket since January.
Jos Buttler Creates History
Buttler’s tally of five sixes is the most by a non-opening batter while batting first in the powerplay of an IPL innings. Only Suresh Raina (6) has hit more while coming out to bat from number three or below. The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) legend managed this feat during his iconic 25-ball 87 against Punjab Kings (PBKS) at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium during the 2014 edition’s second qualifier. The knock still holds the record for the most runs in the powerplay of an IPL innings as well as the highest strike-rate by a batter in a league’s innings.
Buttler is the first wicketkeeper-batter to score five sixes in an IPL innings during the powerplay twice. He equaled his own record, which was set against the Capitals (then known as Delhi Daredevils) in the 2018 season while he played for the Rajasthan Royals. Adam Gilchrist managed the same number (5) against the Daredevils in 2009
Buttler is also the first batter to score five sixes in the powerplay against the Capitals twice. It is also the most by a non-opener and wicketkeeper-batter in the first six overs of an innings against the Delhi-based team.
Most Powerplay Sixes Against Delhi Capitals
| Player | Sixes | Team | Venue | Year |
| Travis Head | 6 | SRH | Delhi | 2024 |
| Abhishek Sharma | 6 | SRH | Delhi | 2024 |
| Jos Buttler | 5 | GT | Delhi | 2026 |
| Jos Buttler | 5 | RR | Delhi | 2018 |
| Abhishek Sharma | 4 | Deccan Chargers | Centurion | 2009 |
Overall, Buttler now has hit 18 sixes in this stage of an IPL innings in his career, which is the second-most by a player behind Rohit Sharma (20). Through today’s knock, he went past Chris Gayle’s (15) to top the list among the overseas batters.
Buttler is the first GT batter to hit five sixes in an innings during the powerplay for GT. Wriddhiman Saha (4 vs LSG in 2023) held the record previously. The former England captain’s run tally of 47 is the second-most by a player for the 2022 champions behind Saha’s 54 in the above-mentioned game.