Buttler Acknowledges England's Inadequacies in ODIs Against India

Key Takeaways

Jos Buttler admits England's performance has fallen short.
England has lost six out of seven matches on tour.
Buttler emphasizes the importance of improving team dynamics.
Brendon McCullum’s coaching impact is acknowledged.
England faces a challenging Champions Trophy ahead.

New Delhi, Feb 12 (NationPress) England’s white-ball captain Jos Buttler has admitted that his team has not met the anticipated standards as they continue to face challenges during their tour of India.

With six losses out of seven matches, including a 4-1 defeat in the T20I series and consecutive ODI losses, England is now at risk of suffering a 50-over series whitewash in Ahmedabad before turning their attention to the ICC Champions Trophy.

Buttler discussed England’s deficiencies on the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast and remarked, "There are numerous factors contributing to our underperformance, but I don’t intend to offer excuses."

"In the end, we must improve. When competing against the top teams, we need to enhance our team dynamics, strengthen our batting and bowling partnerships, and improve our collective performance in the field. We simply haven’t been good enough for extended periods in games to achieve positive outcomes. That has been the primary issue, and it’s something we need to address.

As much as we try to downplay the significance of results or alleviate pressure on players, the reality is that results matter. That’s the reason we are here. We aspire to play matches, win for England, and ultimately secure tournament victories. No one desires to win more than I do or the rest of the team. However, we are very realistic about our current standing as a team," he added.

Buttler also commended the influence of head coach Brendon McCullum, who has recently taken over England’s white-ball team.

"Working with Baz has been fantastic. I’ve truly enjoyed collaborating with him and allowing him to lead the team. One of his notable strengths is maintaining a balanced approach and fostering a positive atmosphere.

"Although the results have been disappointing, he continues to guide us in the right direction, remaining committed to the style of cricket we wish to play. Everyone is acutely aware that we must perform better against elite teams. We’ve already established some rapport. I’ve known Baz for quite some time, played against him, and got to know him well, providing a solid foundation to begin with," he explained.

England is set to face a tough Champions Trophy group, with matches lined up against Afghanistan and South Africa after their opener against Australia. Nevertheless, Buttler noted that their difficulties in India highlight the depth of talent the hosts possess.