The Rajasthan Royals breathed life into their faltering season, moving to a 4-6 record and fifth spot, with the victory over the Chennai Super Kings in Abu Dhabi.
Chennai captain MS Dhoni had won the toss and elected to bat but his side only managed a below-par 5-125, strangled by Rahul Tewatia (1-18), Shreyas Gopal (1-14) and Jofra Archer (1-20).
In reply, Rajasthan stumbled early to slump to 3-28 before Buttler came in at number five and blasted 70no from 48 balls including seven fours and two sixes alongside captain Steve Smith, who took a back seat with 26no from 34 deliveries.
“If we win it’s good,” Buttler said when asked about batting at five, not as an opener. “I’m happy to bat wherever the team needs me.
“We let a couple of games slip so it’s nice to win tonight.”
Rajasthan’s win has them back in contention, having lost six of their previous seven matches until the victory over Chennai, who are now last with a 3-7 record.
The Super Kings have lost four of their past five matches, leaving Dhoni with numerous dilemmas.
“The result is a by-product of the process, but the fact still remains that if you’re focused on the process then the undue pressure of result doesn’t enter the dressing room,” the former India captain said.
“We’re trying to address that. You don’t want to do too much chop and change because after 3-4-5 games you won’t be sure of anything. Insecurity is something you don’t want to prevail in the dressing room.
“It’s fair enough (the criticism for not blooding youngsters), this season we weren’t there. Maybe we didn’t see as much spark from some of our youngsters and maybe going forward we bring them in and they play without pressure.”