Embracing the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the greater good of the English team, Jos Buttler says, has been key to the side's excellent surge in white-ball cricket in the last five years.
From being hammered in Australia and New Zealand in 2015 World Cup to lifting that prestigious trophy at home four years later, it is playing in the IPL that toughened up the likes of Buttler, Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer & co and also enhanced their range of skillset under pressure during that period of transformation.
"There’s no doubt that it (IPL) has helped English cricket grow and the numbers of players who were involved in the last few years," said Buttler, who plays for Rajasthan Royals (RR), in the BBC Podcast ‘The Doosra’.
"It was something I was desperate to play. For me it’s the best tournament in the world, taking out the World Cups," he added.
Two months of IPL cricket helps a player rub shoulders with some of the best players in the world, allows them to pick the brains of well-known coaches while being paid handsomely.
"Some of the match ups you get to see in the IPL are great," said Buttler. "(Royal Challengers) Bangalore has been amongst the top three teams with (Virat)) Kohli, AB (de Villiers) and (Chris) Gayle coming up and then to see them up against a (Jasprit) Bumrah or a Dale Steyn or (Lasith) Malinga."
"As a kid growing up that is what you want to play -- fantasy cricket. Mix all the teams together what it will be like if Kohli and de Villiers play together."
Buttler thanked former captain Kevin Pietersen for once fighting a lone battle against the ECB for a window in the calendar that would allow England players to take part in the IPL.
At the time, Pietersen was heavily criticised for championing the cause for IPL, as his teammates and administrators felt he is looking past the international game.
"English cricket has got quite an interesting history with the IPL. The documentary about Kevin Pietersen and how he wanted to get involved and the roadblocks he faced," he said.
"He really paved the way for a lot of us to go and now play in the IPL with more blessing from English cricket. He is a pioneer in building the steps in place to realise just how important the IPL is for developing cricketers," Buttler added.
The 13th edition of the IPL, due to kickstart on March 29, remains indefinitely postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has brought the world to a rare standstill.
(Inputs from PTI)
