The leading to the Indian Premier League not quite promising for Jos Buttler. The Englishman had a forgettable match at the Ashes and an injury resulted in him being ruled out of the England squad for a time.
Coming to the IPL, Buttler hadn’t played any cricket for several weeks and he admits it was a really big mental breakdown. However, after joining the Rajasthan Royals, Buttler let his willow do the talking and amassed 627 runs in 13 games, and paved the way for the Royals to reach the knockout stages after four years.
In a conversation with Sports starThe smasher shares his thoughts on his time with the Royals, the way forward and how he looks forward to playing under newly appointed England Test captain Ben Stokes.
You hadn’t played whiteball cricket in a while before coming to IPL. How did you prepare for the tournament?
Actually, I haven’t played any cricket in a while. After the ashes, I had almost two months without playing cricket. That came at a time when I really needed it.
I walked in very refreshed, with a lot of motivation, a lot of excitement to play cricket again. I had a few nets in the UK before flying out and that was it.
It’s more than just a mental break after the game, enjoying family time and finding some ‘me’ time again. I really took up too much space.
The trauma has given you some time to be with your family and get back on your feet. In a time of biobubble fatigue, how important is that burst and how does it help you regroup?
I think it’s really important. It was a long winter and we had the T20 World Cup and then went straight to the Ashes, it was a tough tour for the individual and for the team. Especially in bubble and high pressure environment, that rupture is always important factor. And perhaps more so during these times to try to listen to yourself and enjoy the game-free time.
Sometimes it seems like you need to do the opposite, work hard and get back to your best, but sometimes rest is actually the best thing.
So far, it has been a successful IPL season for you. How much of a boost will it be for you before the critical period?
It’s been a good season so far. I really like my way of hitting the ball, I really enjoy the games and playing for the team. We played some really good cricket and I think it’s fair to just score some points early in the tournament that gives me some confidence to go on and try to keep doing that. And, anytime you feel confident as a player, that’s a really good position to be in.
At Rajasthan Royals, in the last few editions, the core consisted mainly of English and Australian. But this time, the focus shifts to India. How do you see that and what are the changes you see in the setup?
That’s a pretty big change I guess. But I think it was a smart move by the team. The experience and quality of Indian players we have on the team – and the two obviously going to be (Ravichandran) Ashwin and (Yuzvendra) Chahal – are extremely experienced players and effective archers. high capacity. I think the Indian players in the IPL, minus a few, are the ones who really understand the conditions the best. They know best about competing in their own country and they know how to deal with all the pressure etc that comes with the IPL. I feel it’s a positive thing that has happened, having experienced and local players around.
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The group stage of the tournament was played at four locations within the same state, but the nature of the matches in each location was different. Do you think the cricket dries up a bit after a few months of non-cricket activity?
I was expecting sockets to be a little slower, a little faster, actually. I think – great credit to the ground staff – in all respects they have kept the wickets great. We’re still seeing some highs and sometimes dew plays a part as well. I think the socket is still good. Usually in Mumbai especially places like Wankhede Stadium are famous for having good batting lines. I think they haven’t slowed down as much as I feel they might have been.
Good luck Ben: “I’m so excited for Ben (Stokes). It is a prestigious opportunity to captain England and I am sure he will thrive. He’s a born leader and he always leads the team, even as Joe’s vice-captain. He’s going to be awesome and I wish him luck,” Buttler said. – Beautiful pictures
In a few matches in the league, when the team lost early, what was on Jos’s mind? How did you plan your rounds?
I think you always evaluate as the game goes on, the type of ball each ball and the game, your plans can change and you have to adapt to the game. Sometimes you also hit the ball first, you try and take a little longer to (get into) the game. The game is not set up for you like when you’re chasing. You just try to look at the scoreboard and play against accordingly.
With two new teams – Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants – the pressure was different in this IPL release. Always keeping in mind the intensity of the tournament, how did the Royals approach the tournament stage?
Yes, if there were, the sub-teams would make the competition even more difficult. It’s the same number of playoff spots but with two sub-teams. And the quality makes no difference. The standard in the league remains as high as ever. There were never any easy games in the IPL but perhaps just made qualifying even harder.
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Over the past few seasons, RR has mostly struggled in the middle due to a lack of celebrities. But this time, Shimron Hetmyer raised the game. How do you see that?
I think I speak for everyone when I say that I am very impressed with Shimron Hetmeyer. He played great. So far this season, the level of consistency he has shown in a very difficult role in T20 cricket has been remarkable. And I think that gives a lot of confidence to the team when someone has taken ownership of that role and played it very well. We all have a head for Hettie and we believe he can do it all the time. He’s done well and that’s a big plus this season.
As a senior player and one who has been with the Royals for a long time, he played a key role in pitching, alongside Sanju Samson. What is the defined role for you?
I think I’ve got a defining role as the team’s vice-captain and I try to help Sanju if I can. Obviously, he has a lot going on as captain and a keeper. So if there’s anything I can try and sometimes just a listening board or if there’s something I see and I think it might help, I try and do it. We are a lucky team because we have quite a few senior players with a lot of experience who can give the captain some ideas and try to help manage the situation and so is lead.
Moving from IPL, Ben Stokes became England captain. Your thoughts…
I I’m really excited for Ben. I think Joe Root is a great captain for England and he has done so much for a very long time. A big thank you to him from everyone. Obviously, I’m excited for Ben.
It is a prestigious opportunity to captain England and I am sure he will thrive.
He’s a born leader and he always leads the team, even as Joe’s vice-captain. He will be amazing and I wish him lucky.
