Jos Buttler became the first player in T20 cricket history to score 15,000 runs, reaching that mark during England’s second T20I against Sri Lanka at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, on September 17, 2026. Buttler achieved the milestone with a single off Eshan Malinga during the fifth over of England’s run chase, securing his place in the record books before a home crowd.
He also broke the record of West Indies legend Kieron Pollard to become the top run-scorer in T20 cricket. He accomplished this feat in England’s second T20I match against Sri Lanka on Thursday. He has achieved this in 528 matches, with an average of 35.46 and a strike rate of 147.46.
Buttler has scored his T20 runs for a variety of teams and tournaments, including England, Lancashire, Manchester Originals, Manchester Super Giants, Gujarat Titans, Somerset, Paarl Royals, Mumbai Indians, Sydney Thunder, Comilla Victorians, Durban’s Super Giants, Melbourne Renegades, and England Lions.
Buttler’s accomplishment stands out even more when compared to Pollard’s stats. The West Indian all-rounder appeared in 671 T20 matches, scoring 14,999 runs. Buttler has scored 15,000 runs in 174 fewer innings, showcasing a more efficient and aggressive style at the crease. Buttler’s 107 fifties and nine centuries in T20 cricket further distinguished him.
His career has taken him across numerous franchises and competitions, including spells with England, Lancashire, Manchester Originals, Manchester Super Giants, Gujarat Titans, Somerset, Paarl Royals, Mumbai Indians, Sydney Thunder, Comilla Victorians, Durban’s Super Giants, Melbourne Renegades, and England Lions, offering him experience in diverse playing conditions and against a wide array of bowling attacks around the world.
England’s win at Sophia Gardens increased their T20I winning run against Sri Lanka to 14 matches, highlighting their supremacy in this rivalry. With a 2-0 lead already in hand, the series is effectively won, and the third and final T20I will take place at Old Trafford in Manchester on September 19, 2026. The game at Old Trafford will give both teams a chance to conclude the series on their own terms, with England seeking to secure a clean sweep and Sri Lanka hoping to prevent a whitewash.
