Ahead of the Test series against India, England wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler said Alastair Cook’s team of 2012 remains “one of the best English sides” and the current team led by Joe Root is getting there.
England were the only team to win a Test series on Indian soil in the last decade. The spin duo of Graeme Swann and Monty Panesar, along with the magnificent Kevin Pietersen and then skipper Cook were the architects of England's 2-1 series win in 2012.
Incidentally, current skipper Root made his debut in the last Test of that series in Nagpur.
“Joe made his debut on that tour and has fond memories and learnings on what made us successful. That was one of the best England teams that we have ever had, quite amazing players,” Buttler said during the virtual media interaction on Saturday.
“This side is in a little bit of a different stage in terms of journey, but certainly, getting towards that point. It’s an exciting time to take up such a challenge against the best team in the world in their home conditions,” he added.
In England, a first-innings score of 350 is deemed as a good total. But Buttler said this team, with some young players in its ranks, would need to develop an understanding that a good score in India could well go beyond 600.
“It is about adapting to conditions and playing accordingly. There are times when the ball seams and swings in England. The big first-innings score can be 300 for example and if you play in India, we play on a fantastic batting wicket (for) the first two days, a good score would be 600-650,” he stated.
“So, I think it is the realisation and understanding as a batsman and as the batting team and having the hunger to go on and score big runs,” he further remarked.
Root led his team from the front with match-winning knocks of 228 and 186 in the first and second Tests as England inflicted 2-0 whitewash over Sri Lanka during the recently held series.
According to Buttler, everyone in the team should follow the template Root set in Sri Lanka.
“Joe Root is a great example of doing that for us in Sri Lanka, with a double hundred and a 180. He just showed us that you have to make the most of conditions and score big runs,” he said.
Team India recently defeated Australia 2-1 to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy Down Under, and Buttler hailed the ‘amazing strength and depth in Indian cricket’.
“Obviously, the Australian series really showed world cricket the amazing strength and depth in Indian cricket.
“To go and win that series in Australia, when you are missing Virat (Kohli) after the first Test and having so many injuries, just shows there is fantastic strength and depth, competition in Indian cricket.
“A lot of cricketers, a lot of them (brought up) from the IPL, so (not) wanting to face either team really, but I know there will be no complacency from the Indian side.
“Virat would be coming back, had some time away from Test matches and he will be hungry to lead and play well, so it is going to be a great challenge,” he said.
(With PTI inputs)
