Friday 9 December 2016 14:27, UK
Jos Buttler believes that his time with the Mumbai Indians in the IPL has helped him on his return to the England Test side.
The 26-year-old hit a crucial 76 as England, needing to win the fourth Test to keep the series alive, made 400 in their first innings at the Wankhede Stadium.
Having survived a challenging period before stumps on day one, Buttler kicked on on the second morning, scoring his first half-century since returning to the side as a specialist batsman.
"It's always going to be tough when you first go in against two quality spinners," Buttler told Sky Sports. "But some of the experiences I've had in the last year, playing in front of crowds with the noise and carnage that is going on around you.
"Learning to deal with that helps you to stay calm in that situation and I've always felt like I enjoyed batting against spin."
The Lancashire wicketkeeper admitted that some good fortune had been required, particularly on the first evening as he and Ben Stokes sought to repel Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.
"It was really vital, we needed a bit of luck to get through it," Buttler added. "It feels like you're batting with your bat the wrong way up to start with!
"That was a crucial period to get through and then come back today and build on it."
That is precisely what Buttler was able to do, a ninth wicket partnership of 54 with Jake Ball enabling England to post a competitive first innings total.
"That was a great partnership, he played brilliantly," Buttler added. "I wasn't sure how to play it to start with, whether to try and farm the strike and it was him who said 'I think every run is crucial, so if I can try and score a few as well then that could be crucial.'
"He's very confident in himself to carry on his form from one of the ODIs in Bangladesh. It was good fun."
England go into day three in need of wickets after an unbeaten century stand between Murali Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara saw India close on 146-1, on what Buttler maintains is a good wicket.
"People have shown if you play well - like Keaton [Jennings] in our first innings - there are runs to be had on that wicket," he said. "There are still balls that spin, and spin fast.
"One will suddenly spin and it looks like plenty is happening but when you're batting, if you can take that out of your mind and play for the majority of the balls, then it's a very good wicket."
Watch day three of the fourth Test between India and England, in Mumbai, from 3.45am on Saturday, Sky Sports 2.
