IPL is the best tournament in the world, minus World Cups: Jos Buttler
Jos Buttler, England's wicketkeeper-batsman, reckons that he and his fellow countrymen have learnt a lot while rubbing shoulders with the world's best in the cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL). The 2020 edition of the tournament had to be postponed following the worldwide outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic, but rumours are floating around that the Indian cricket board is eyeing the window which could be opened, provided this year's scheduled Twenty20 World Cup in Australia gets postponed.
Buttler, who has been part of the Mumbai Indians and is currently associated with the Rajasthan Royals, was talking in a BBC podcast named 'The Doosra'. "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," he said on Saturday (May 23). "It was something I was desperate to play. For me it's the best tournament in the world, taking out the World Cups," the 29-year old added.
Buttler's innovative batting, cushioned with some breathtaking strokeplay, was one of the factors in England's dynamic approach to the 50-over format of the game, which culminated with a victorious campaign in the 2019 edition of the World Cup. Having played alongside some of the modern greats in the IPL, the England ODI vice-captain compared playing in the IPL to that of a 'fantasy game'.
"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. Some of the match-ups you get to see in the IPL are great. 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," he said.
England were reluctant to be a part of the cash-rich tournament and didn't allow any of their players to be a part of the league in 2008. However, on the back of player pressure, they yielded reluctantly with Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff turning out to be the big drawcards, come the 2009 IPL auctions. Buttler credited Pietersen for England's players getting an opportunity to hone their skills at one of the best T20 leagues in the world.
"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.
Buttler, who has been part of the Mumbai Indians and is currently associated with the Rajasthan Royals, was talking in a BBC podcast named 'The Doosra'. "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," he said on Saturday (May 23). "It was something I was desperate to play. For me it's the best tournament in the world, taking out the World Cups," the 29-year old added.
Buttler's innovative batting, cushioned with some breathtaking strokeplay, was one of the factors in England's dynamic approach to the 50-over format of the game, which culminated with a victorious campaign in the 2019 edition of the World Cup. Having played alongside some of the modern greats in the IPL, the England ODI vice-captain compared playing in the IPL to that of a 'fantasy game'.
"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. Some of the match-ups you get to see in the IPL are great. 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," he said.
England were reluctant to be a part of the cash-rich tournament and didn't allow any of their players to be a part of the league in 2008. However, on the back of player pressure, they yielded reluctantly with Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff turning out to be the big drawcards, come the 2009 IPL auctions. Buttler credited Pietersen for England's players getting an opportunity to hone their skills at one of the best T20 leagues in the world.
"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.
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