Jos Buttler, ICC World Cup 2019
Jos Buttler. Credit: Getty Images

England’s wicket-keeper batsman, Jos Buttler opines that the Indian team is the best team in the world currently in its home conditions. Buttler’s praise for the subcontinent giants comes ahead of the forthcoming four-Test match series which commences on 5th February in Chennai.

India hasn’t lost a Test series at home since their loss to England in 2012 – indeed, they have lost just a solitary Test match – against Australia in Pune in 2017 –  since 2013.

India’s recent historic series triumph in Australia garners plenty of praise from Jos Buttler. The right-hander points out that despite missing regular captain, Virat Kohli and battling a spate of injuries, the Indian squad fought till the last hour of the Test series and won it – highlighting the depth of the quality players in India.

Nasser Hussain, Virat Kohli, Monty Panesar, India
Virat Kohli punches in the air as he celebrates his team’s victory. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

“It’s an exciting time to take up such a challenge against the best team in the world in their home conditions. 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,” Jos Buttler said during the virtual press conference.

“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 added.

The 2012 England team was one of the best teams we ever had: Jos Buttler

India vs England 2021: India Is The Best Team In The World In Their Home Conditions - Jos Buttler
England team won the Test series in India in 2012. Image credit: K.R. Deepak/ The Hindu.

The 30-year-old believes that the English team under Sir Alastair Cook which won the series in India was one of the strongest squad assembled in their history.

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England lost the first Test but came back strongly to win the series 2-1 against the MS Dhoni-led outfit. Jos Buttler feels that the current team under Joe Root is different from Cook’s, but they are getting closer.

Sir Alastair Cook and Kevin Pietersen led the charge with the bat, and spinner Graeme Swann and Monty Panesar trapped the Indian batsmen in their web as England defeated India at home in 2012.

“That was one of the best England teams that we have ever had, quite amazing players. This side is in a little bit of a different stage in terms of the journey, but certainly, getting towards that point,” the dynamic wicket-keeper added.

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