The 35-year-old scored just 87 runs from eight innings in England’s run to the semifinals. But Buttler insisted he treated this year’s IPL the same way he did the previous editions.
“It’s no more important or less important than any other IPL I’ve played. No matter what’s gone on before, I always turn up to the IPL looking forward to the season, wanting to contribute to the team and wanting to play well. Even if I’ve been scoring lots of runs coming into the IPL, it’s the same challenge. Can you prepare well? Can you get in a good headspace to go out there and give yourself the best chance to perform? And whether I’ve been struggling for runs, it’s the same challenge,” Buttler said at a media interaction.
The England international added that he used the break after the World Cup to reflect upon his game and prepare for the IPL.
“There’s probably a small circle of people that you turn to to try and ask for their advice or their opinion on what they’re seeing. And ultimately, I tried hard. I put a lot of effort into that World Cup, and for a multitude of reasons probably it just didn’t quite work out.
“And being a 35-year-old player, I’ve had 15 years [of experience] of times where I’ve had good form and had bad form. I’ve had tournaments that went really well; I’ve had tournaments that didn’t go to plan. I’ve had a bit of space from the game, which I’ve really enjoyed. The challenge is the same for me – to go to practice with energy and optimism, prepare well and then go to the game, start on 0 and take it from there,” Buttler said.
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The Titans would be in good stead if Buttler finds his touch. Last season, Buttler, batting at No. 3, combined with openers Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan and accounted for 70 per cent of the Titans’ total runs. Buttler ended with 538 runs from 14 innings, which included five fifties.
Himself braced for immense scrutiny given his streak of low scores recently, Buttler hoped Gill and Sudharsan avoid getting weighed down by expectations to replicate last season’s performance.
“Shubman and Sai were a fantastic opening partnership. Two high quality players with fantastic techniques to allow them to spend a lot of time at the crease, which was obviously great for the team last year. But we don’t want to put too much expectation on them to have to replicate that, although I’m sure they’ll want to and be trying their best,” he said.
Buttler also hinted that Rajasthan pacer Ashok Sharma, signed by GT for Rs. 90 lakh in the auction, was gearing up to set the tournament ablaze.
“There’s a lot more than just the pace. Actually, Ashok was a net bowler at Rajasthan for a long time. So I used to face him in the nets a bit there. But I played him in the practice game. He’s obviously got pace and accuracy. He’s got a fantastic slower ball. And he’s got a big heart, which I think you need as a fast bowler,’ Buttler said.
Published on Mar 28, 2026
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