India vs England 2021: ‘Wicket-keeping in spinning conditions is a lot of fun’ – Jos Buttler, Ben Foakes excited for subcontinental challenge
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Jos Buttler
England and India are all set to clash in a series of four Test matches before shifting to the shorter formats. The spinning tracks of the subcontinent are in focus in the build-up to the series. The hosts have flourished in home conditions while England are coming off a great series in similar conditions in Sri Lanka. All in all, the series is set to be a cracker with the World Test Championship final still up for grabs.
Ahead of the series, Jos Buttler is looking forward to the challenge of keeping the wickets in the subcontinent. Buttler is excited to experience the ‘fun’ of keeping in conditions on the opposite spectrum compared to those of his home.
“Keeping wickets in India is a big challenge obviously, with the pitches turning. But it’s also a great place to keep wickets because you feel like you’re always in the game. Wicket-keeping in spinning conditions is a lot of fun,” Buttler was quoted by TOI.
Standing back to the seamers is a real challenge
Buttler will be leaving for home following the first Test. And in the absence of the senior pros, rookie Ben Foakes is all set to don the gloves in the second Test. Foakes asserts that standing closer to the wickets will be challenging. He is wary of hours of single-minded concentration while standing up to the wicket against the spinners. Foakes has only played five Tests so far and it is the first time he will be donning the gloves in India.
“Standing back to the seamers is a real challenge purely because you stand much closer than in English conditions. It cuts down the reaction time for edges,” Foakes pointed out during a virtual media interaction on Sunday. “You also have to stand up to the stumps for long periods of time against spin. You have to concentrate hard knowing that the ball is going to spin sharply,” he noted.
The young bloke weighed in on the perennial debate between opting for a better wicketkeeper or a better batsman who can keep wickets. Foakes asserts that a blend of both is the optimal option. But given how rare it is, he feels that the final answers lies with the balance the side aims to achieve.
“You need a blend of both. You can’t have someone who makes loads of mistakes as a keeper but scores runs. At the same time, no matter how good a keeper you are, you have to contribute with the bat. It depends on the balance that a team wants to go with,” Foakes opines.
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Anshuman Mahapatra
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