Jos Buttler scripts history! England star overtakes Chris Gayle to become second-highest run-scorer in T20 cricket

Jos Buttler climbs to No. 2 in T20 history

England wicketkeeper-batter Jos Buttler has etched his name deeper into cricket history by becoming the second-highest run-scorer in T20 cricket, surpassing West Indies legend Chris Gayle.

The landmark was achieved during Manchester Super Giants’ opening match of The Hundred 2026 against London Spirit on Thursday. Although Buttler managed only 16 runs off 11 balls before being dismissed by Adam Zampa, it was enough to move past Gayle on the all-time T20 run charts.

The experienced batter required just six runs before the match to leapfrog the legendary Caribbean opener.

Only Kieron Pollard remains ahead

Following the milestone, Jos Buttler has accumulated 14,572 runs in 517 T20 matches, leaving him just 231 runs behind Kieron Pollard, who currently tops the all-time list with 14,803 runs.

Unlike Chris Gayle, who has stepped away from regular top-level cricket, Pollard remains an active player. The former West Indies captain recently represented MI New York, where he scored 321 runs in 11 matches, including an unbeaten century.

However, with Buttler continuing to feature across international and franchise cricket, the England star appears well placed to challenge Pollard’s long-standing record in the coming months.

Remarkable turnaround in 2026

The achievement caps a memorable comeback year for Jos Buttler after a difficult start to 2026.

The 35-year-old rediscovered his best form during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, scoring 526 runs for the Gujarat Titans and playing a crucial role in taking the franchise to the tournament final.

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His resurgence continued on the international stage when he smashed an unbeaten 131 off 64 balls against India in the fifth T20I at the Rose Bowl in Southampton. Batting at a strike rate of 204.68, Buttler hammered 12 fours and eight sixes, helping England complete a dominant 4-0 series victory over the defending T20 champions.

The century was also his first in T20 cricket in more than two years.

More records could be on the horizon

With regular appearances for England, Lancashire, The Hundred, the IPL, and SA20, Buttler has ample opportunities to become the leading run-scorer in T20 cricket.

He recently signed a new three-year contract with Lancashire, ensuring he remains available for the T20 Blast while continuing to feature in franchise leagues around the world.

Given his current form and packed cricket calendar, the England opener could soon overtake Kieron Pollard and become the most prolific batter in the history of the shortest format.

Most runs in T20 cricket