England national cricket team’s star wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler has praised Virat Kohli in an interview with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) ahead of the three-match ODI series against India.
Jos Buttler described Virat Kohli as a global superstar and said words do not do justice to his stature in world cricket, while also admitting that England are looking forward to the challenge of taking on him.
Notably, Shubman Gill has given assurance to Virat Kohli on 2027 World Cup selection and Rohit Sharma has been backed by 2 selectors.
Jos Buttler praised Virat Kohli before England ODI, called him a global superstar
The first match of the ODI series between India and England at Edgbaston could be Kohli’s final ODI in England before he bids farewell to his international career. With Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah also returning, India will field one of their most experienced ODI teams against an England team keen to continue their recent success.
Jos Buttler believes facing players of Virat Kohli’s caliber is what international cricket is all about. Acknowledging India’s star-studded batting line-up, the former England white-ball captain had special praise for Kohli and described him as one of the greatest players of the modern era.
Speaking to the ECB ahead of the ODI series, Buttler said, “He’s obviously an absolute superstar, probably the most recognizable cricketer in the world. I don’t think words do justice to his stature in the game. And obviously his record, especially in this format of the game, has been incredible.”
Jos Buttler said that England love competing against elite cricketers and expected Kohli to pose one of their biggest challenges in the series. He said:
“It’s always great to play against the best players and obviously he’s one of them. So it’s going to be a big challenge for us and we’re looking forward to it.”
Virat Kohli is entering the series with his excellent ODI record. In 299 ODI innings, he has scored 14,797 runs at an average of 58.71, including 54 centuries and 77 half-centuries, making him one of the most successful batsmen in the history of the format.
Virat Kohli vs Adil Rashid – A fight worth watching
A major clash during the ODI series is expected to be between Virat Kohli and England leg spinner Adil Rashid.
Although Kohli has scored 112 runs off Rashid in ODI cricket, the leg spinner has dismissed him five times. Kohli has faced 130 balls from Rashid at a strike rate of 86.15, while his average has been 22.50.
The numbers underline Rashid’s ability to keep Kohli relatively quiet and take his wicket regularly, making this one of England’s biggest weapons against India’s batting line-up in this contest.
Plus, Kohli’s experience of playing quality spin around the world means he will be keen to improve on those numbers and deny England early success.
Since England are expected to rely heavily on Rashid in the middle overs, how Kohli handles the leg spinner could have a significant impact on the outcome of the series.
Virat Kohli is ready to play his 300th ODI innings in the first match against England.
The first ODI at Edgbaston will also be another important milestone in Kohli’s remarkable career as he prepares to play his 300th ODI innings.
Many great batsmen have reached the same position over the years. Sachin Tendulkar scored 98 runs in his 300th ODI innings, Kumar Sangakkara scored 64 runs, Jacques Kallis scored 47 runs, while Ricky Ponting managed to score 15 runs. Now it remains to be seen what Virat Kohli adds to that list.
The Indian star also has an exceptional record in SENA countries, having scored ten ODI centuries in South Africa, England, Australia and New Zealand.
His centuries came against England in Cardiff in 2011, against Sri Lanka in Hobart in 2012, against New Zealand in Napier in 2014, against Pakistan in Adelaide in 2015, against Australia in Melbourne and Canberra in 2016, against South Africa in Durban, Cape Town and Centurion in 2018 and against Australia in Adelaide in 2019.
Despite that excellent record, Kohli has not registered an ODI century in the SENA nation since his unbeaten 104 against Australia in Adelaide in January 2019. The England series presents another opportunity to end that seven-year wait while achieving another memorable milestone in his ODI career.