Jos Buttler acknowledges India as an outstanding Test match team

India, under the leadership of Virat Kohli, has proved to be an all-condition outfit and the last series against South Africa was a terrific example. The team not only showed guts to win the last Test of the series in Johannesburg but came tantalizingly close to winning the first two matches as well. The team has been widely acknowledged for their brilliant all-round unit. And now Jos Buttler, a limited-overs superstar in his own right and a recent fame in England's Test cricket team, has acknowledged India to be an outstanding Test team, which will give them some serious challenge in the upcoming Test match series.

“It’s a great group and India are an outstanding Test match team so it is going to be a huge series for everyone involved, there are some great match-ups,” Buttler wrote in his coloumn for Sky Sports.

“We’ll prepare well and have plans for individual players in the opposition but it also comes back to what we do well as a side and, especially in home conditions, what works for us. That’s what the guys will be focusing on,” he added.

Buttler, who made his Test debut against India four years ago, made a return to the Test format in the series against Pakistan and was at the forefront of England levelling the series 1-1.

“I don’t think it’s going to be quite subcontinental conditions but in international cricket you need to adapt to all conditions, whether that be home or away. The side that does that the best will have a good series,” wrote Buttler.

“I’m sure there will be some great atmospheres over the new few weeks, the Indian fans are very loud and I’m sure there will be plenty of support for us, from the Barmy Army, in amongst it as well. It should make for some really exciting Test matches in front of such good crowds.”

After a solid white-ball campaign against Australia and India, in which Rashid dismissed Virat Kohli twice within a space of three matches, England coach Trevor Bayliss suggested the leg-spinner to rethink his decision about Test cricket and as it turned out, he has finally agreed to come back to the whites. Rashid has not played any red-ball cricket since signing a limited-overs contract with Yorkshire back in February. The decision created a lot of furore among the fans. 

“Since the squad for the first Test was announced last week there has been a lot of talk in the media about Adil Rashid’s inclusion – I think it’s a really exciting selection. Adil is an immensely talented bowler and he’s bowling as well as I’ve seen him bowl at the minute, he’s had a fantastic summer. I’m sure it’s exciting for him and it’s exciting for English cricket to have him back,” Buttler said.