Ten days after Gayle announced his intention to retire after the World Cup, the West Indies cricketer smashed 162 off 97 balls.
Gayle ticked off a shopping list of targets — 50 up in 32 balls, a 10,000th one-day run and then his hundred in 55 balls.
Gayle is one of a handful of players who would not shirk from chasing 419 and the 39-year-old Jamaican picked up Buttler's baton with a ton of his own.
The tourists were given a target of 361 in the first ODI after Gayle ended his six-month exile from the team by hitting 12 sixes in a knock of 135.
Stokes, whose availability was in some doubt because of a bruised right heel, was a fortunate 62 not out, and Buttler was 67 not out.
England was routed for 132 in its second innings and the West Indies knocked off the 14 runs needed for a 10-wicket victory on a dramatic day.
The day belonged to Sam Curran, who helped England reach a competitive total with the spinners getting plenty of purchase on a dry surface.
Foakes batted for more than four hours, faced 184 deliveries, and hit only six boundaries.
England tour of Sri Lanka, 2018, Play at the 3rd ODI at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele, Catch all the SL vs ENG
Buttler's 89 helped England recover from 198-7 on day one and score 332 runs in their first innings even as India struggled in bowler-friendly conditions.
Stuart Broad and Sam Curran removed India's openers, then James Anderson and Ben Stokes tore through the middle order with two wickets each.
Having begun the day at 198-7 in their first innings after being contained by India's bowlers on Friday, England scored far more freely as Buttler — not for the first time in the series — rescued his team from a perilous position. England's tailenders once again frustrated India's attacking unit to make a remarkable comeback in the dead rubber. Earlier on Day 1, Alastair Cook and Moeen Ali scored their respective fifties as well.
Buttler scored 69 and put on vital lower-order partnerships with Ben Stokes and Sam Curran as England recovered from 122 for five to finish at 260 for eight eight at stumps.
Jos Buttler's half-century lead the way for the hosts as the England batsmen frustrated the Indian bowlers to survive a two-paced track at Rose Bowl, extending their lead to 233 at the end of Day 3.
Bairstow fractured a bone in the middle finger of his left-hand midway through the third Test in Nottingham, which India won to reduce the deficit in the five-match series to 2-1.
Root and Buttler will both play the first half of the BBL season for the Sydney Thunder.
England were reduced to 62 for four at one stage but not only did Buttler and Stokes held the crease until lunch, they batted out the next session without losing any wickets.
The English batsman said that they didn't rule out India from the series after taking a 2-0 lead and will fight hard on day three to make a comeback in this Test.
With Stokes back and his replacement at Lord's, Woakes, grabbing the opportunity with a maiden hundred, England could face a selection dilemma ahead of the third Test.
Virat Kohli may have compiled a fine century in the series opener but ahead of the Lord's Test, Buttler also took solace from the way the Indian captain was made to work for his runs.
Top News
Latest News
