England’s white-ball maestro If Buttler paid an emotional tribute to his late father following one of the toughest nights of his sporting career at The Hundred 2025. Just a week after his father’s passing, Buttler bravely chose to represent Manchester Originals, walking out at the Kennington Oval amidst palpable grief and heartbreak.

The Hundred match that mirrored Jos Buttler’s grief

Recently, the Manchester Originals faced the Oval Invincibles in a game charged with sentimentality. Buttler’s teammates donned black armbands in a touching gesture to honour his father’s memory. The Originals, led by Phil Salt, showed visible solidarity, but Buttler’s night would soon turn bleak. Coming in at No.3, Buttler looked determined to give his best, but fate had other plans. He was dismissed for a four-ball duck, mistiming an expansive drive, and sending a catch directly to Donovan Ferreira. In a sequence that mirrored the emotional weight of the occasion, the Originals lost two wickets in the space of four balls—both for ducks—plunging the side into early trouble.

Salt, however, showed resilience, stringing together a 41 off 32 to help Manchester post 129 runs. The total was never enough against the ruthless Invincibles, whose openers, Will Jacks and Tawanda Muyeye, hammered fifties and combined for an unbroken 114-run stand, clinching victory in just 57 balls. Manchester remain winless after two games and languish at the bottom of the table, while the Invincibles continue their unbeaten run.

Buttler’s heartfelt tribute to his late father

The pain of personal loss was most eloquently expressed not on the field, but later on Buttler’s Instagram. The 33-year-old posted a cherished photograph: himself, his late father, and the 2019 World Cup trophy—a crowning achievement in both their lives. The simple caption tugged at the hearts of fans and fellow cricketers alike: “Rest in peace Dad, thank you for everything.” The post became a focal point for mourning, celebration, and reflection, and further amplified the impact of Buttler’s tumultuous week.

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Despite his personal tragedy, Buttler’s professionalism shone through as he chose not to withdraw from the match. His resilience has been lauded across cricketing circles, especially following an outstanding IPL campaign for Gujarat Titans earlier this year, where he scored 538 runs at a strike rate of 163.03. Yet, the emotion of Saturday night was about more than statistics or silverware; it was about honouring the man who had shepherded Buttler’s cricketing journey every step of the way.