Jos Buttler insists friendships formed between England and India players during the Indian Premier League will be “forgotten” when the two sides meet in the five-match Test series, which commences on August 1.
Virat Kohli, captain of Royal Challengers Bangalore, has spoken of positive relationships with English players – he shared a dressing room with Moeen Ali and Chris Woakes in the 2018 IPL – but despite this, England’s wicketkeeper-batsman says the Test series will be “highly competitive”.
Buttler’s tremendous IPL form prompted Ed Smith, England’s chief selector, to hand him a Test lifeline against Pakistan this summer, and while the swashbuckling lower-order batsman repaid the faith with two half-centuries, a Test century still eludes him – the 85 he scored on debut in 2014 remains his highest score in the five-day game.
“I would love to achieve that feat. It is nice to think it has been four years since I made my debut. I have good memories against India but it is about reinforcing the enjoyment factor and the incredible opportunity it is to play Test cricket.
Buttler’s transition from the middle order to the top of the order in T20 cricket has proved fruitful, and he’s open to moving up the order in Test cricket also.
“I am happier to bat higher up if that is what the side needs from me. I am still very fresh back into it and loving being back involved, ” he said.
