Southampton, July 12: England wicketkeeper-batter Jos Buttler etched his name into the record books on Saturday by surpassing former India captain MS Dhoni to become the highest six-hitting wicketkeeper in international cricket.
Buttler achieved the milestone during his breathtaking 131 off 64 deliveries in the fifth and final T20I against India at the Rose Bowl. The England star smashed eight sixes during his innings, taking his tally to 366 international sixes, eclipsing Dhoni’s long-standing record of 359.
The 35-year-old’s blistering knock helped England register a commanding 56-run victory and complete a dominant 4-0 series sweep over the reigning T20 World Cup champions.
Buttler’s innings was studded with 12 boundaries and eight maximums as he registered the highest T20I score of his career. After reaching his half-century in 34 deliveries, the right-hander shifted gears dramatically, requiring only 17 more balls to complete a magnificent century.
The England batter also forged a record-breaking 233-run partnership for the second wicket with captain Harry Brook, who remained unbeaten on 95 from 45 deliveries. The stand is now the highest partnership for any wicket in men’s T20 International history, eclipsing previous records.
Powered by the Buttler-Brook masterclass, England piled up a daunting 257 for three, the highest total ever recorded against India in a men’s T20 International.
Buttler’s latest milestone further cements his legacy as one of the greatest wicketkeeper-batters in the history of the game.
Along with overtaking Dhoni in the all-time sixes list for wicketkeepers, the innings also marked his ninth century in T20 cricket and reinforced his status as one of England’s most destructive white-ball batters. (Agencies)
