Buttler: IPL has helped improve my game against spin

Cricket365
May 23, 2016

England wicketkeeper Jos Buttler says playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) has improved his batting against spin bowling and feels that taking part in the T20 tournament should not harm your chances of playing Test cricket.

The 25-year-old Buttler is playing for the Mumbai Indians and has had a mixed return in the run-scoring charts but believes just playing and training in Indian conditions will improve his game, especially against slow bowlers.

Buttler told ESPNcricinfo: "Facing Harbhajan Singh in the nets is a fantastic learning ground and playing spin is a huge part of that. There is always a game every night on TV, so you can watch different guys how they go about playing spin.

"You are watching guys who play spin the best, how well they pick the length, how well they move into position and don't face many balls, to be able to rotate the strike and not allow pressure to build on you is crucial. "

If any English player plays in the IPL it means they miss the start of the county season which hinders their chances of being selected in the Test side.

The gloveman though feels accomplished Test players from all around the world are playing the T20 tournament in India and that England players can only benefit from the event.

Buttler added: "This is the ninth edition of the IPL and, for me, English players have been missing out for a long time. There are plenty of cricketers over here who are fantastic Test match players as well.

"I think it is an old-fashioned view that if you come to the IPL then your Test career is done."