• “I feel like I have learned a hell of a lot” • Buttler says Adil Rashid is bowing as well as he has seen

With all the arguments about the recall of Adil Rashid, Jos Buttler’s presence in the Test team slips under the radar. After two satisfactory matches against Pakistan his inclusion is no longer a topic of debate despite the fact that he has barely played any red-ball cricket either.

Increasingly, Buttler has a safe pair of hands on and off the field. In the recent ODI series he has had the best view of Rashid’s fine form from behind the stumps. Speaking at the launch of the Specsavers Test series Buttler said: “He is bowling as well as I have ever seen him bowl. I am excited for him.”

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After his IPL experience with the Mumbai Indians and the Rajasthan Royals Buttler is familiar with India and the Indian cricketers. “They are a fantastic team – in all conditions now. Australia is a huge series for England but in this day and age India are not far behind.”

Virat Kohli has suggested the series might be more cordial because of the IPL connection. “Not on the pitch but maybe at the training ground or in the lunch room‚” said Buttler. “Moeen played with Virat at RCB and I saw them getting on well. I have played with Hardik Pandya so you are open to having a chat. But I’m sure there will be moments in the series when those things will be forgotten. It will be highly competitive.”

Buttler always highlights the benefits of the IPL experience. “I feel like I have learned a hell of a lot from watching guys train and go about their practice and the way they react to pressure moments in a game.

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“Someone like Kohli is immensely talented but you see his mentality of getting to the top, likewise with other players, David Warner and Steve Smith at Sunrisers. It is the hunger to do it day in day out in training that really shines through in those top players.”

The IPL can obviously enhance modern cricketers but Buttler points out the obvious difference to the challenges awaiting him and Rashid at Edgbaston. “The [Test] game goes on longer so it drags on your emotions for longer. Which adds to the fascination.”