Buttler smashes fifth IPL fifty

MUMBAI: Jos Buttler said he was revelling in his run of form after cracking a fifth consecutive half-century to equal Virender Sehwag’s Indian Premier League record.

The England wicketkeeper-batsman’s unbeaten 94 off 53 balls against the Mumbai Indians kept his Rajasthan Royals the IPL playoff race and matched Sehwag´s mark set in 2012.Butler hit nine fours and five sixes as the Royals romped home by seven wickets in the cash-rich Twenty20 league.

“I’m really enjoying it, found some good form, it’s a do-or-die situation and I’m full of confidence so want to keep it going,” said Buttler, who cost the Royals $653,840 at auction.“I’m in a good head-space and looking forward to the next game,” he added after Sunday’s win.

Buttler, 27, will get the chance to break the record against Kolkata Knight Riders on Tuesday with his 94 coming just days after notching his highest Twenty20 score of 95 not out against Chennai Super Kings last week.

That followed knocks of 67 off 26 balls, 51 (off 39) and 82 (off 58) and means Buttler has amassed 509 runs in 12 games in 2018 at an average of 56.55 and a strike-rate of 153.77.“He has been in great form. He didn’t give us any chances,” conceded Mumbai skipper Rohit Sharma.

The Royals’ win also ensured a final-four place for the Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led Super Kings, who stand behind table-toppers Sunrisers Hyderabad in the eight-team table.The Royals lies fifth with two matches remaining with the top four moving into the playoffs.