IPL 2018: Twitter Erupts as Jos Buttler Fires Rajasthan Royals to Thrilling Win Over Chennai Super Kings

English pick Jos Buttler continued his red-form with the bat, firing Rajasthan Royals to a thrilling four-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings in a must-win clash at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium on Jaipur on Friday (May 11) night.

Chasing 177, the Royals sprung a huge surprise by promoting Ben Stokes as an opener. However, unlike his compatriot Jos Buttler, Stokes failed to deliver as he was castled by Harbhajan Singh for just 11.

However, wicketkeeper-batsman Buttler had fired on all cylinders from one end and so the score was 48 when Stokes departed. Five runs later, Ravindra Jadeja struck, removing Ajinkya Rahane.

Buttler soon completed his fifty off just 26 balls. It was Buttler’s fourth fifty on the trot.

The right-handed batsman Butter with Sanju Samson helped Royals recover from two quick setbacks. At the end of the tenth over, the scoreboard was reading 88 for two.

But just when it looked the duo settled well, a miscommunication resulted in Samson getting run-out.

Shardul Thakur then sent back Prashant Chopra cheaply to help Super Kings claw their way back. The equation was finally down to 55 off 30 deliveries. Stuart Binny and Buttler added 55 runs for the fifth wicket before the former departed when the Royals needed 31 off 14 balls.

The equation was finally down to 12 off just six balls and Buttler did it with a ball remaining. He remained unbeaten on 95 off 60 balls.

Quick Read: IPL 2018: Twitter Reacts As Chennai Super Kings Post Big Total

Earlier in the game, Suresh Raina’s fifty helped the Super Kings post a challenging 176 for four.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s decision to bat first on a tricky wicket backfired initially. In-form Ambati Rayudu was castled by Jofra Archer for just 12. However, Shane Watson and Suresh Raina did not let Royals capitalise on the good start. The duo steadied the ship and laid the foundation for a good total.

At the end of the powerplay, the score was 55 for one.

Royals then tightened up the noose and conceded just nine runs off the two overs after the powerplay. Watson then hit Ish Sodhi for two sixes in the ninth over to break the shackles.

At the end of the tenth over, the Super Kings were placed at 90 for one. Royals then took command of the proceedings by dismissing both Watson and Raina in quick succession – to leave them reeling at 119 for three. Watson departed after scoring 39 while Raina scored 52 off 35 balls.

Dhoni and Sam Billings then took the innings forward. The duo added 55 runs for the fourth wicket to guide the visitors to a good total.

Buttler broke the stand, by running Sam Billings out in the last over. The England star scored 27 while Dhoni remained unbeaten on 33.

Here is how Twitter reacted to the innings of Rajasthan Royals:

Wowwwwzaaaaaaaaa #ipl

— Danielle Wyatt (@Danni_Wyatt) May 11, 2018

4 x 50 on the bounce for @josbuttler … Opening … #NuffSaid #IPL2018

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) May 11, 2018

Jos Buttler saves Rajasthan Royals season all by himself #rrvscsk #ipl

— Sam Street (@samstreetwrites) May 11, 2018

What a knock from @josbuttler ??

— Eoin Morgan (@Eoin16) May 11, 2018

Wow. Hats off to you @josbuttler . What. An. Innings. ?????? @StarSportsIndia @rajasthanroyals #IPL11

— Erin Holland (@erinvholland) May 11, 2018

Wow @josbuttler proper innings that!

— Mitchell McClenaghan (@Mitch_Savage) May 11, 2018

Jos Buttler got better and better in last four games his incredible 95* sealed a thriller for RR…

— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) May 11, 2018

Ajinkya Rahane, after realising that he can still qualify for the play-offs. #RRvCSK pic.twitter.com/XiemO2EZhj

— Sagar (@sagarcasm) May 11, 2018

Simply outstanding from Buttler in a must win game for his team on a tough pitch. One of the great T20 innings of all time. #IPL

— cricBC (@cricBC) May 11, 2018

Jos Buttler, the man does it once again. Ends on the winning side, for once.

— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) May 11, 2018

Me to Buttler#RRvCSK pic.twitter.com/0fsuTtK2Hl

— Arun Lol (@dhaikilokatweet) May 11, 2018

Buttler dropped twice, 67 by Watson, 80 by Dhoni. Might rue it if they lose

— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) May 11, 2018

Rajasthan Royals using Butler. #RRvCSK pic.twitter.com/Cju58HkD1U

— Sagar (@sagarcasm) May 11, 2018

Buttler has ran out the only who could have helped him to win this game for @rajasthanroyals

— Shubh Aggarwal (@shubh_chintak) May 11, 2018

Sachin Tendulkar's straight drive and Jos Buttler's reverse sweep. *Unstoppable* #RRvCSK

— urban desi (@_urbandesi) May 11, 2018

It's what #CSK do best. Choke you in the middle overs when you are just about to run away with the game. Big responsibility for the big man @josbuttler ! #RRvCSK

— Sports Sutra ?? (@SpoSutra) May 11, 2018

Most consecutive 50+ scores in IPL:

5 – Virender Sehwag
4 – JOS BUTTLER*
4 – Virat Kohli #RRvCSK

— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) May 11, 2018

Rahane will be the first cricketer to retire frm IPL before international cricket

— Arun Lol (@dhaikilokatweet) May 11, 2018

Buttler is a gifted cricketer
he scores boundaries so effortlessly.
he makes batting look so easy..

— Arun Lol (@dhaikilokatweet) May 11, 2018

Everytime I go to a cricket match, I wish the umpires have a good day. Otherwise the game suffers. Think of Jofra Archer. Nice first over and that wide call changed it.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) May 11, 2018

Umpire: I’m planning to ban bouncers…
Raina: pic.twitter.com/VkEOtU3ZVj

— The Lying Lama 2.0 (@KyaUkhaadLega) May 11, 2018

Sodhi has bowled with good control and picked up wickets too. Surprising he hasn't played more matches.

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) May 11, 2018

Suresh Raina completes 300 runs for this season.

He's the only player to have scored 300+ runs in all 11 IPL seasons. #RRvCSK

— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) May 11, 2018

https://twitter.com/sagarcasm/status/994964270092763136

Umpiring in #IPL pic.twitter.com/NDM4snnts9

— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) May 11, 2018

https://twitter.com/sagarcasm/status/994953050732167169

Very good toss to win for #CSK. If it does get slower, as it did in the game against #KXIP , and like it seems to be today, runs on the board will be critical.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) May 11, 2018

Atleast Dhoni listens to coach's advise when it comes to winning the toss: "We had a high committee meeting & the coach said we should bat"
Kumble advised the same to Kohli during the CT final & he did the exact opposite #RRvCSK

— Abhay (@ImAbhay3) May 11, 2018