In a high-octane clash between Delhi Capitals (DC) and Gujarat Titans (GT) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, England’s white-ball great Jos Buttler scripted a remarkable turnaround in IPL 2026. After enduring a prolonged lean patch, Buttler rediscovered his rhythm in spectacular fashion, guiding Gujarat Titans to a dramatic one-run victory while also revealing a quirky superstition behind his return to form.
Jos Buttler’s match-winning knock ends lean phase
Buttler’s innings was a statement of intent. Opening up with aggression and confidence, he smashed 52 runs off just 27 deliveries at a staggering strike rate of 192.59. The knock not only marked his first half-century of the season but also ended a frustrating 16-innings drought without reaching the milestone.
The right-hander looked in complete control, especially during the powerplay. He launched five towering sixes within the first six overs, equalling the second-highest tally by a non-opener in IPL history during that phase. One over in particular stood out—against Mukesh Kumar, Buttler unleashed a brutal assault, collecting 23 runs, including three massive sixes that shifted momentum firmly in GT’s favour.
In the process, Buttler also etched his name into the record books by becoming the first non-West Indian batter to smash 600 sixes in T20 cricket—a testament to his longevity and dominance in the format.
Buttler reveals unique trick to regain his form
After the match, Buttler shared an unusual yet fascinating insight into how he combats poor form. The England star revealed that he relies on a simple superstition—changing his shoes whenever runs dry up.
“Change of shoes. That’s actually throughout the years. If I can’t score runs, I change my shoes. So these are doing well so far,” Buttler said with a smile during the post-match presentation.
While it may sound unconventional, the tactic appears to have worked wonders this time. The psychological reset, combined with his natural flair, helped him regain confidence and rhythm at a crucial stage of the tournament.
Decisive impact behind the stumps
Buttler’s influence wasn’t limited to his batting heroics. In a nail-biting finish, Gujarat Titans held their nerve to secure a one-run win in the final over.
With DC needing two runs off the last ball, Prasidh Krishna delivered a tense final delivery to David Miller, who failed to make contact. As the batters scrambled for a desperate bye, Buttler displayed exceptional presence of mind behind the stumps. He collected the ball cleanly and executed a pinpoint underarm direct hit, catching Kuldeep Yadav short of his crease and sealing a memorable victory for GT.
Also WATCH: Jos Buttler dismantles Mukesh Kumar with 96m six and signature ramp shot in DC vs GT IPL 2026 match
