England's Jos Buttler admits to IPL vs ODI dilemma

Cuttack [India] Jan. 19 (ANI): England wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler, who plays for Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL), has admitted that he is in dilemma and is facing a clash of priorities in the build-up to the England's Champions Trophy campaign as the scheduled two-match ODI series against Ireland in early May is set to clash with the final weeks of his IPL stint. Two ODIs are scheduled for Bristol on May 5 and Lord's on May 7 against Ireland, the same time in which the last part of the 10th edition of the IPL would take place. "End of the day, you want to play for England and represent England," ESPNcricinfo quotes Buttler as saying. "Obviously, the management will make the call on the players and the availability for the Ireland games. I understand that it is a tricky sort of situation - the IPL is a great experience but playing for England is obviously a fantastic opportunity and a privilege as well. It's a tough question," he added. The 26-year-old, who has been retained by Mumbai Indians for the upcoming season, also hoped he would get to see more of his England team-mates participate in the extravagant league, adding that it would be an individual decision. "I think it is always going to be a little bit of an individual decision. I can only speak from my own experience; I think the IPL is probably the best cricket experience I've ever had. I've learnt as much, not just about T20 but about myself, about all forms of cricket, about what it takes to become a top cricketer. It's only the best experience I've had as a cricketer," he said. "Whether other people will feel that, I don't know. I could only have good things to say about it. So hopefully, from my point of view, there are more English guys involved in playing in these conditions, in front of these crowds, under the pressure of being overseas players," he added. The 10th edition of the IPL is set to begin on April 5 with the final scheduled for May 21. (ANI)