Gujarat Titans wicketkeeper-batter Jos Buttler has credited a “little bit of space from the game” in helping him find his form back after a lean year.

Buttler had a lukewarm T20 World Cup 2026, where he managed just 87 runs in eight innings at an average of 10.87 and a strike rate 116.00, despite England making it to the semi-final. But he’s been back among the runs in IPL 2026. Buttler began the season with a 33-ball 38 against Punjab Kings and followed it up with a 14-ball 26 against Rajasthan Royals. He then struck 52 in GT’s last-ball win against Delhi Capitals before racking up his 100th T20 half-century, finishing with 60 off 37 balls as GT recorded their second-straight win of the season.

“A little bit of space from the game and time to just kind of think and it sort of just came to me,” Buttler said on how he found his form again in a post-match interview for the host broadcaster. “I’ve just been focusing a lot in the weeks I’ve been here on my set-up and my basics. I think a few technical issues maybe crept into my game, which actually allowed me not really see the ball that well.

“I’ve been around for a while and it’s nice to be back scoring runs. Obviously, I had a bit of a lean patch in the last few months, so it’s nice to find some form and contribute to another win.”

Buttler also praised GT batting coach Matthew Hayden and how a piece of advice from the former Australian opener helped him get among the runs.

“When he speaks, you listen. In one of the first few sessions he asked me, ‘how well are you watching the ball? It doesn’t look like you’re tracking it that well’,” Buttler said of his conversations with Hayden. “Great players like him [come] with the most simple advice, which is nice.

“It’s a hard game if you’re not picking up the ball well. So, I’ve just been focusing on everything pre-delivery and then backing that. As I said, I’ve played for 15 years. I know what to do when I get in.”

Buttler also said that having his family around has helped him. “It’s great to have them here. Obviously, the cricket is high intensity and it’s busy. So, it’s nice to have them here and distractions away from the game and spend time with them.”