Jos Buttler says he cannot wait to get started again in the IPL, as he prepares for his return with Rajasthan Royals.
The England wicketkeeper missed their opening day win over Chennai Super Kings.
He was still completing the quarantine process having travelled to Dubai with his family, separate to the contingent of Royals players who had come on a private charter direct from the England-Australia series in the UK.
Rajasthan now have to find space for him in a batting line-up that was in fine working order against Chennai.
Sanju Samson hit a blistering 74, and captain Steve Smith also hit a half-century having opened the innings.
Buttler is likely to be restored to the top of the order when the side play Kings XI Punjab in Sharjah on Sunday.
He says he was delighted by what he saw in the opening game while watching back at the team hotel in Dubai.
“It was great to get a win on the board, the team played fantastically well in the first game,” Buttler said. “It was an outstanding batting performance and a fantastic bowling performance in tough bowling conditions.
“I am really excited to play my first game. It was great to be back in training with the boys, there’s a great vibe around the team so I'm really looking forward to taking the field.
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Rajasthan v Chennai player ratings
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RAJASTHAN ROYALS RATINGS. Yashasvi Jaiswal – 4. It was like he came to the feast and all he had was a glass of water. The 18-year-old opener missed out on the run spree. Sportzpics for BCCI -
Steve Smith – 7. Recovered from concussion, found a new role for himself at the top of the order, and delivered a fine fifty. Sportzpics for BCCI -
Sanju Samson – 10. Given the extraordinary run of form he was in, he must have been so frustrated to have holed out when on 74 off 32. Four dismissals with the gloves, too. Sportzpics for BCCI -
David Miller – 4. Run out without facing, on the flattest pitch in the universe, when his bat got stuck while he was running it in. What a demise. Sportzpics for BCCI -
Robin Uthappa – 4. Looked as though he felt under pressure to maintain the rate set by Samson, but could manage just five from nine balls. Sportzpics for BCCI -
Rahul Tewatia – 8. Fell cheaply, and burned his team’s review when he was plumb lbw, too. Not a great mix. More than made up for it with fine bowling. Sportzpics for BCCI -
Riyan Parag (second left) – 4. Little chance to make an impact with the bat, and palmed a catch over the boundary for six, too. Sportzpics for BCCI -
Tom Curran (right) – 5. Unsightly figures of one for 54, but that included three consecutive sixes by Dhoni in the last over, when the game was already won. Getty -
Jofra Archer – 9. Phenomenal late hitting, with four successive sixes in the last over, and figures of one for 26 in four overs was outstanding in the conditions. Sportzpics for BCCI -
Shreyas Gopal – 6. Picked up the wicket of Murali Vijay and escaped serious damage – while still going at 9.5 an over. Sportzpics for BCCI -
Jaydev Unadkat – 5. Did not look like making any incisions, and he was taken for three sixes in his last over by Du Plessis. Sportzpics for BCCI -
CHENNAI SUPER KINGS RATINGS. Shane Watson – 6. Unflustered despite the high asking rate, he was just getting into his work when he was bowled by Tewatia. Sportzpics for BCCI -
Murali Vijay – 5. Chewed up a lot balls in making 21, and neither batted through, like Smith did, nor upped the rate. Sportzpics for BCCI -
Faf du Plessis – 7. Difficult to find fault with someone who blasted 72 in 37 balls, but it felt as though he needed to start his assault earlier if Chennai were to have a chance. Sportzpics for BCCI -
Sam Curran - 7. Had one blemish in the field when he parried a catch off Smith over the boundary for six, but his bowling was superb. Another breezy stay with the bat, too. Sportzpics for BCCI -
Ruturaj Gaikwad – 2. He will hope he can forget about his IPL debut, but it won’t be easy. He charged past the first ball he faced, and was stumped for a golden duck. Twitter -
Kedar Jadhav – 6. Did his best to rail against the inevitable with the bat, despite a lack of urgency at the other end. Sportzpics for BCCI -
MS Dhoni - 6. Complained that the long quarantine had left him feeling rusty with the bat, but he still could have pitched himself up the order . Sportzpics for BCCI -
Ravindra Jadeja – 5. The fact he went for four sixes showed just how difficult it was for the bowlers. His direct hit from the fence was spectacular – if futile. Sportzpics for BCCI -
Piyush Chawla – 4. Brutalised by Samson, but the leg-spinner bounced back bravely. Forty-seven off his first two overs, followed by eight in his last two. Sportzpics for BCCI -
Deepak Chahar – 7. Avoided some of the major damage that his colleagues suffered, and held the catch that got Samson – albeit after a juggle. Sportzpics for BCCI -
Lungi Ngidi – 3. Might have been panicked when he had gone for 27 off the final over with four balls still to go. Escaped with just (!) 30. Sportzpics for BCCI
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“The atmosphere and energy around the squad is fantastic, obviously lots of confidence after that first game.
“The training has been very energetic, guys are lively and enjoying each other’s company.”
Buttler also appreciated the performance of another wicketkeeper-opener, KL Rahul, who made a hundred against Royal Challengers Bangalore on Thursday.
It was the highest score by an Indian in IPL history, and Buttler said his side will have to be at their best to halt him this time around.
“We are expecting a really tough match against Kings XI,” Buttler said.
“They are a fantastic team, and KL Rahul was in exceptional form the other night against RCB. He will be a key wicket as always.
“I think we’ll see another potentially high-scoring game at Sharjah with small boundaries and the dew factor coming in. Can’t wait to get back out there.”
