We are not just focusing on Kohli, says Buttler

 Despite England being undone by a stunning coup from Virat Kohli and Kedar Jadhav in the opening ODI at Pune on Sunday, England wicket-keeper Jos Buttler said the team is dwelling only on the positives and are geared up for what is a do-or-die game at the Barabati Stadium on Thursday.

“There are a lot of positives for us to take from the other game,” said the 26-year-old, a dangerous batsmen down the order. “We reached 350 without anyone going on to get a hundred. That’s the difference between the two sides, two guys standing up for the Indian team and going past the three figures. Getting to 350 should give us confidence.”

Thorn in the flesh

Indian skipper Virat Kohli has been a huge thorn in England’s flesh since the start of the preceding Test series. In the five-match Test series which India won 4-0, Kohli led from the front, amassing 655 runs, including a magnificent 235.

Kohli then kick-started the ODI series also on a thumping note, cracking a brilliant 122 to leave England on their knees again. When asked if the Delhiite occupies a major part of their planning, Buttler said it would be foolish to focus on just one individual.

“He (Kohli) occupies as much space as anyone else. He’s been in fantastic form for a long period of time. His record is very good. Guys constantly have been coming up with plans for him. India have some other fantastic players in their side as well. We can’t focus on just one player and forget about the others. Something we’ve been trying to do as group is focus on our strengths and really back our strengths. Obviously you have to specific plans and execute them very well,” said Buttler, who felt playing in the IPL has improved him lot as a player.