IND vs ENG 4th Test: Jos Buttler Credits IPL For His Fine Show With The Bat
Apr 6, 2019 at 2:14 PM
England batsman Jos Buttler has credited playing in the Indian Premier League for his good performance in the fourth Test against India. After a good start, the visitors were in danger of not capitalising on the solid platform as from 230 for 2, they were reduced to 297 for 6 but Buttler played a crucial knock of 76 to help England score 400.
The right-handed batsman, who plies his trade for Mumbai Indian said: “Having practised here and played here, may be in different circumstances, but having the IPL experience helps you to get used to the noise and chaos around you and you learn to deal with that and to actually focus on to the batting. I think the familiarity is good and it definitely helps.”
Buttler, who played his first Test in Mohali after 13 months, said that while remaining away from the Test team did not bother team but it gave him some time to think about his game.
He said:“I don’t think it (being not part of the Test team) mattered to me at all. It gave me some time to think about my game. To play so much of cricket does not give you time to think, at times. So, over the last year, I have probably learnt the most about myself and about cricket. I really worked hard during the time leading into the Tests.”
Speaking about his knock, he said:“It was really satisfying to score those runs when the team needed it. I enjoyed my time in the middle. 400 is a good total against quality bowlers and in their conditions.”
The batsman also said that the Wankhede pitch is still good for batting. He said that apart from some occasional turning balls, the batsmen will not find any problem in scoring runs.
“It still is a quality batting wicket with majority of the balls going to consistent, with only a few turning extreme. But you must not get alarmed by those deliveries and play for the majority,” he pointed out.
In reply to England’s big total, India have started brilliantly and were 146 for 1 by the end of day’s play. But Buttler is still optimistic that his team can turn the match around with some quick wickets.
“Yes, of course (we are optimistic). Getting to upto 400 does that for us. The two guys (Vijay and Pujara) have played very well for India. But still the lead is over 250. You see in this part of the world the game can accelerate when the ball is spinning. If we get a bit more consistent, get a string of dot balls and build more pressure, with the ball spinning, there is definitely some wicket-taking balls in that surface,” concluded Buttler.