Jos Buttler has built a reputation as one of the most destructive and versatile white-ball batters of the modern era. His game combines power, wrist speed, inventive strokeplay, and an unusual ability to change gears according to the match situation.
This list focuses on five innings that showcase different sides of Buttler's batting: the high-pressure chase, the rescue act, the T20 acceleration, the ODI power display, and the late-innings assault.
Top 5 Best Innings of Jos Buttler
Rank | Innings | Opposition | Format | Key Achievement |
1 | 107* (60) | KKR, 2024 | IPL | Chased 224 on the final ball |
2 | 110* (122) | Australia, 2018 | ODI | Rescued England from 114/8 |
3 | 101* (67) | Sri Lanka, 2021 | T20I | Maiden T20I century |
4 | 162* (70) | Netherlands, 2022 | ODI | Powered England to 498/4 |
5 | 150 (77) | West Indies, 2019 | ODI | Scored 105 off his final 33 balls |
1. 107* off 60 Balls vs Kolkata Knight Riders, IPL 2024
Few Buttler innings better demonstrate his ability to take responsibility in a near-impossible chase than his unbeaten 107 against Kolkata Knight Riders.
Rajasthan Royals were chasing 224 at Eden Gardens and appeared to be falling behind as the required rate climbed beyond 14 runs per over. Buttler, however, stayed at the crease through mounting pressure and physical discomfort.
KKR posted 223/6, but RR reached 224/8 from 20 overs, winning by two wickets on the final delivery.
The innings was built around exceptional strike management. Buttler tried to retain the strike during the closing overs while targeting specific bowlers and exploiting scoring areas with pulls and straight drives.
With one run required from the final ball, he found the gap with a flick to complete the chase.
Why it stands out:
Outstanding match awareness under extreme pressure
Calculated acceleration rather than reckless hitting
Ability to manage the strike late in the innings
Composure on the final delivery
The knock remains one of the clearest examples of Buttler combining endurance, decision-making, and power in a single innings.
2. 110* off 122 Balls vs Australia, 2018
Buttler's 110 not out against Australia at Old Trafford showed a completely different side of his batting.
England were chasing only 206, but their pursuit quickly turned into a crisis. The hosts collapsed to 114/8, leaving Buttler with the lower order and the prospect of a series whitewash hanging over the team.
Instead of forcing the pace, Buttler changed his approach. He defended carefully, rotated the strike, and waited for opportunities rather than attempting the kind of high-risk strokes normally associated with his game.
His partnership with Jake Ball proved crucial, with Ball contributing only one run from 16 deliveries while Buttler carried the scoring responsibility.
Buttler eventually completed his century and guided England home with one wicket remaining, securing a 5-0 series sweep.
This innings is important because it demonstrates that Buttler's value is not limited to power hitting. He can also absorb pressure, manage resources around him, and construct a successful chase through controlled batting.
3. 101* off 67 Balls vs Sri Lanka, 2021 T20 World Cup
Buttler's unbeaten 101 against Sri Lanka in Sharjah was a masterclass in adapting to difficult T20 conditions.
England were 35/3 after the powerplay on a sluggish, low-bouncing surface that made clean hitting difficult. Rather than attacking immediately, Buttler took time to understand the pitch.
His first 24 runs came from 30 deliveries. Once he became comfortable with the conditions, the tempo changed dramatically. He scored his next 77 runs from only 37 balls, using sweeps and straight lofted drives to keep the scoring rate moving.
The defining moment came on the final delivery of the innings. Buttler launched the ball over mid-wicket for six to complete his maiden T20I century.
The innings illustrates one of his most valuable batting skills: acceleration does not always have to begin immediately. Reading the surface first can create a much stronger platform for the final assault.
4. 162* off 70 Balls vs Netherlands, 2022
If Buttler's 110 against Australia represented patience, his 162 not out against the Netherlands represented pure ODI destruction.
Batting in Amstelveen, Buttler produced a remarkable 70-ball innings containing seven fours and 14 sixes. He reached 150 from just 65 deliveries, finishing one ball behind AB de Villiers' record for the fastest ODI 150.
His 360-degree approach was central to the performance. Buttler attacked all areas of the ground and used inventive strokes, including ramps, alongside conventional power hitting.
England eventually reached 498/4, with Buttler's innings playing a major role in the record total.
The numbers underline the scale of the performance:
Runs: 162*
Balls: 70
Fours: 7
Sixes: 14
Strike rate: 231.42
150 reached: 65 balls
It was a display of extraordinary ball-striking and relentless tempo, particularly once Buttler identified scoring opportunities against the bowling attack.
5. 150 off 77 Balls vs West Indies, 2019
Buttler's 150 against West Indies at St George's in 2019 is another outstanding example of controlled acceleration.
He began relatively cautiously, reaching 45 from 44 balls while establishing a platform. The transformation came late in the innings.
Buttler then produced an extraordinary burst, scoring 105 runs from his next 33 deliveries. He smashed 12 sixes and helped England reach a huge total of 418.
The innings showed how effectively Buttler can delay his biggest risks until the conditions and match situation demand them. Rather than attempting to dominate every delivery, he built the innings before launching an extraordinary final assault.
That ability to change tempo without losing control remains one of the defining features of his white-ball batting.
Jos Buttler's Top 5 Innings: Statistical Comparison
Opponent | Year | Format | Score | Balls | Fours | Sixes | Strike Rate |
KKR | 2024 | IPL | 107* | 60 | 13 | 6 | 178.33 |
Australia | 2018 | ODI | 110* | 122 | 12 | 1 | 90.16 |
Sri Lanka | 2021 | T20I | 101* | 67 | 6 | 6 | 150.74 |
Netherlands | 2022 | ODI | 162* | 70 | 7 | 14 | 231.42 |
West Indies | 2019 | ODI | 150 | 77 | 13 | 12 | 194.80 |
The table highlights just how varied Buttler's best performances are. His 2018 innings was built on survival and control, while his Netherlands and West Indies knocks relied heavily on extraordinary acceleration.
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