Buttler, who missed Rajasthan Royals’ match against Punjab Kings earlier this month due to fitness concerns and played as an Impact Player against Kolkata Knight Riders in the following game where he made a breathtaking hundred, suffered another injury against Lucknow while fielding on Saturday.

The incident occurred during the first ball of the 10th over of Lucknow’s innings, who had been sent into bat by Sanju Samson. Trent Boult sent down a good length delivery outside the off stump to Deepak Hooda, who came down the track and played it uppishly to Buttler at mid-off. Buttler dived forward to hold on but it fell just short of him. The ball was eventually called a dead ball as the striker’s bail had fallen off, but Buttler ended up injuring his hand, pointing to the webbing on his left hand.

He left the field for medical assistance and did not return for the entire innings, leading to question marks over whether he would be fit enough to open the batting alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal. First glimpses hinted that Buttler might not be opening – while Jaiswal was padded up and ready to bat as the second innings commenced, Buttler was still without his protective gear and was surrounded by the coaching staff, seemingly engaged in a conversation over whether he would be fit to walk out.

All speculation ended soon, however, as Buttler indeed accompanied Jaiswal at the top of the order, with Rajasthan needing 197 for their eighth win of the season. He was dismissed for 34 off 18.

Buttler wasn’t the only player who was injured during the first innings; Lucknow’s Krunal Pandya seemingly injured his hamstring during his knock of 15* and was in visible trouble as he climbed up the stairs while heading to the dressing room during the break.