“IPL has Helped English Cricket Grow” Says Jos Buttler

The England cricketer Jos Buttler believes that the Indian Premier League (IPL) has a great impact on the game of English players. He said that the league has immensely helped in shaping up the cricketers in the white-ball cricket. IPL provides an opportunity to play with the legends of the game and learn from them.?

In the BCC Podcast, ‘The Doosra’, Jos Buttler revealed, “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,”. The wicketkeeper added, “It was something I was desperate to play. For me it?s the best tournament in the world, taking out the World Cups,”?

Jos Buttler plays for the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League. Talking about the same, Buttler said that it is fascinating to see some of the greats of the game like Virat Kohli, AB De Villiers, Jasprit Bumrah, Chris Gayle and Dale Steyn play against or with each other.?

The 29-year-old admitted, “Some of the matchups you get to see in the IPL are great. (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.”

English cricket has an interesting history with IPL

During the conversation, Buttler expressed his gratitude to the English cricketer Kevin Pietersen for fighting to play in the IPL. He thanked Pietersen for paving a way for the cricketers to take part in the cash-rich league.?

Kevin Pietersen is a big supporter of IPL. He had to face a lot of criticism for willing to take part in this tournament. IPL is a great opportunity for the budding cricketers to showcase their talent and play the legendary players. However, the league was not very well perceived by the England board in the past.?

Talking about the same, Jos revealed, “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 added, “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 realize just how important the IPL is for developing cricketers,”?