Jos Buttler expects India to be highly competitive in the five-Test series in England, and feels it will be an ‘incredibly tough challenge’ to win it.
Buttler, pulled out from the Indian Premier League 2018 and put into the Test XI against Pakistan – as a specialist batsman at No.7 – was hugely impressive in both the games.
In the first Test, he hit 14 and 67 as Pakistan won, and then top-scored with 80* as England won the second Test to square the series. Still a lynchpin of the England limited-overs sides, Buttler is hoping to make the most of his stellar form against India.
“Reinforcing the enjoyment factor and the incredible opportunity it is to play Test cricket … because those two games I wasn’t sure how it would go but I approached it in a great manner and that’s important for me to do that going into this series,” said Buttler in the lead-up to the first Test at Edgbaston from 1 August.
Buttler made a very impressive return to Test cricket in the series against Pakistan Buttler made a very impressive return to Test cricket in the series against Pakistan India might have lost the last series – 3-1 in 2014 – and won just three series in England over the years, but they are the No.1 Test team in the world and have travelled better in recent years than at many stages in the past.
“It’s a huge series. India are a fantastic team and are in all conditions now. Australia is a huge series for England but India aren’t far behind. We all know the force of nature that is Indian cricket. They are always highly talented guys and a highly competitive team and of all the countries we play against, they have the biggest following and cricket is as much a religion there as anywhere in the world. Incredibly tough challenge,” said Buttler.
