London: England cricket team's star wicket-keeper batsman Jos Buttler said for him the Indian Premier League (IPL) is the second-best tournament after World Cups. The 2019 World Cup winner also revealed he was 'desperate' to play this year's edition of the cash-rich league as according to him, IPL has helped in the growth of English cricket.

"There's no doubt that it (IPL) has helped English cricket grow and the numbers of players who were involved in the last few years," Buttler said in the BBC Podcast ‘The Doosra'.

"It was something I was desperate to play. For me it's the best tournament in the world, taking out the World Cups," he added.

Buttler, who has so far played 45 games in the popular T20 League, has represented two franchises - Mumbai Indians (2016-17) and Rajasthan Royals (2018).

"Some of the matchups you get to see in the IPL are great. Bangalore has been amongst the top three teams with (Virat) Kohli, AB (de Villiers) and (Chris) Gayle coming up and then to see them up against a (Jasprit) Bumrah or a Dale Steyn or (Lasith) Malinga.

"As a kid growing up that is what you want to play -- fantasy cricket. Mix all the teams together what it will be like if Kohli and de Villiers play together," he added.

The 2020 edition of the IPL has been postponed indefinitely by the BCCI due to the spread of deadly coronavirus in the country and across the globe.