Carseldine made an immediate impact in his IPL debut against Deccan Chargers on Saturday, scoring 39 before being given lbw even though replays suggested he’d got an inside edge. “I guess it was bad luck, but that’s cricket. Anyway, I’m used to bad luck,” he said. The three years he lost were when he was peaking in domestic cricket for Queensland, and dreaming of an Australia cap.

He got a return contract with the Queensland Bulls and made an emotional comeback to first-class cricket in November 2007. Since then he’s enjoyed a successful Twenty20 run, and the performance landed him an IPL contract. “It’s a great experience to be playing in the IPL along with an array of international players. It’s like living the dream of an international career,” he said.

Rajasthan coach Darren Berry said Carseldine’s hallmark was his composure. “He was the T20 player of the series this season in Australia. He is an experienced player. I thought his partnership with Jadeja was crucial in the last game. Back home we all felt that he had something to offer to our side given that Shane Watson was now missing,” said Berry.

Carseldine still needs treatment from the masseur and separate independent sessions with the physiotherapist before matches. But he’s playing the game, and enjoying it too.