NEW DELHI: England white-ball captain Jos Buttler on Sunday laughed his way to the bank as he raked in a jaw-dropping Rs 15.75 crore at the IPL 2025 mega auction in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
After an intense three-way bidding war, Gujarat Titans secured the services of the England superstar for the whopping price.
Buttler, who was not retained by Rajasthan Royals ahead of the auction, was part of the franchise for the last seven editions.
Royals not retaining Buttler and instead going for West Indian Shimron Hetmyer as their overseas pick during retention came as a big surprise for many.
Buttler now will be seen in Gujarat colors, a franchise, who he will represent for the first time in his IPL career.
The keeper-batter, who has been one of the most dynamic and consistent performers in T20 cricket, amassed 3,055 runs in 83 matches for the Royals during his stint at the franchise.
With Royals, Buttler won the Orange Cap in the 2022 edition after notching up 863 runs that included 4 hundreds and as many half-centuries.
Before joining Royals in 2018, Buttler had represented Mumbai Indians in 2016 and 2017 editions.
In addition to his batting prowess, Buttler also brings valuable experience and leadership qualities and with securing his services, the Englishman will be a big part of the franchise think-tank.
Overall, Buttler has 3,582 runs to his name in the IPL in 107 matches. He boasts a jaw-dropping strike rate of 147.53 and has 7 tons and 19 fifties to his name.
For England, Buttler has featured in 129 games and has 3389 runs under his belt with a highest score of 101 not out.
Buttler on Thursday also smashed an unbeaten 62 off 24 balls, studded with four fours and six sixes, for Deccan Gladiators against Chennai Brave Jaguars in the first match of 2024 edition of Abu Dhabi T10. In the clash, he notched up his half-century in just 14 balls.
