Jos Buttler, England’s standout wicketkeeper-batter, made history by overtaking Rohit Sharma to claim the second-highest run total in T20 internationals. Buttler accomplished this feat in England’s inaugural T20I against Sri Lanka in Southampton on Tuesday, as the home team won by a commanding 119 runs.
On September 15, 2026, during England’s first T20I against Sri Lanka in Southampton, Jos Buttler moved into second place on the all-time men’s T20I run-scoring list. The England wicketkeeper-batter scored 80 off just 44 balls, reaching his half-century in 29 deliveries and hitting eight fours and three sixes. The knock brought his career total to 4,292 runs in 161 matches, overtaking Rohit Sharma’s final T20I score of 4,231 runs.
Rohit had retired from the format, and his total remained the second-highest in men’s T20I history. Buttler now lags behind only Babar Azam, who leads the all-time rankings with 4,596 runs from 145 matches. In his T20I career, Buttler has scored two centuries and 29 half-centuries, averaging 34.33.
Buttler formed a 128-run partnership for the second wicket with Harry Brook, who remained not out on 114 from 49 balls and was awarded Player of the Match. England scored 254 for 4 in their 20 overs. Sri Lanka were dismissed for 135 in 19 overs in response, giving England an 119-run win and extending their winning streak against Sri Lanka in T20Is to 13 matches in a row. England took the lead in the three-match series as a result.
Once Sri Lanka started chasing 255, England’s bowlers remained equally dominant. Sonny Baker was the standout bowler in the attack, taking 3 for 12 from four overs. Jamie Overton and Liam Dawson each took two wickets as Sri Lanka’s batting lineup collapsed within 19 overs. The 119-run margin highlighted England’s total dominance in both innings on the day.
Buttler’s total of 4,292 runs secures him a strong second place on the men’s T20I all-time run-scoring list. His career stats, including two centuries and 29 fifties at an average of 34.33, show consistent performance over 161 matches for England. Babar Azam is the sole batsman ahead of him, having scored 4,596 runs in 145 matches. Buttler and Brook had earlier formed a 233-run partnership against India, and their 128-run stand in this match further solidified their reputation as one of England’s most effective batting pairs in the format.
