| Butler with Kohli | Mangalam

Ahmedabad: The Rajasthan Royals have been selected for the IPL. Jose Buttler, the England batsman who made it to the cricket final, also had a rare achievement. Butler to claim Virat Kohli’s record for most centuries in a Twenty20 league.

In the second qualifier against Royal Challengers Bangalore, Jose Buttler (106 not out off 60 balls, including six sixes and 10 fours) put on a stellar performance. It was Butler’s fourth century of the 15th season. Kohli set a record of four centuries in the 2016 season. In the same year, he became the former captain of India to score 973 runs.

It is also the highest run record in the IPL. Butler has scored 824 runs this season at an average of 58.86. The England batsman has a strike rate of 151.47. Sanju Samson’s Rajasthan Royals advanced to the final after defeating Royal Challengers by seven wickets. Batting first, Royal Challengers got off to a good start but were bowled out for 157 for eight. In reply, Buttler led the Rajasthan Royals to victory with 11 balls to spare.

Buttler was supported by opener Yashaswi Jaiswal (21 off 13 balls with two sixes and a four) and skipper Sanju Samson (23 off 21 balls with two sixes and a four). Rajasthan reached 50 in the fifth over. Josh Hazlewood took Jaiswal into the hands of Virat Kohli and broke the tie.

Captain Sanju Samson, who came in third, also did not lag behind in smashing. Sanju returned with 23 off 21 balls, including two sixes and a four, to take his total to 113. Buttler, meanwhile, scored a half-century off 23 balls. Sanju and Buttler put on 50 for the second wicket in 34 balls. Dinesh Karthik stumps a Malayalee player who tried to beat Vanindu Hasaranga.

Devadatta Padikkal (nine off 12 balls) who came later tried to hold on to support Butler. Shimron Hitmeer (two off three balls) was at the crease with Butler. Royal Challengers’ top scorer was Rajat Patidar with 58 off 42 balls, including three sixes and four fours. Captain and opener Faf du Plessis (25 off 27 balls) and Glenn Maxwell (24 off 13 balls, including two sixes and a four) also came up with the opportunity. The Royals were bowled out by Krishna and Obed McCoy, who took three wickets apiece.