Buttler's 131 fires England to 4-0 sweep, ICC T20I No. 1 ranking
Synopsis
Jos Buttler ended a lean patch in the most emphatic fashion — a 131 off 64 balls at Southampton — as England swept India 4-0 in T20Is and leapt to ICC No. 1. A 233-run stand with Brook, 229 series runs from the Player of the Series, and a spin attack that executed to perfection: England have sent a clear message ahead of the next ICC cycle.
Key Takeaways
Jos Buttler scored 131 off 64 balls to win the Player of the Match award in the 5th T20I at The Rose Bowl, Southampton on 12 July .
Buttler and Harry Brook (95*) put on a 233-run second-wicket partnership , driving England to 257/3 .
England sealed a 4-0 T20I series sweep against India .
The result lifted England to ICC Men's T20I No.
Harry Brook was named Player of the Series after scoring 229 runs in four innings .
Jos Buttler smashed a blistering 131 off 64 balls to power England to a commanding 257/3 in the fifth and final T20I against India at The Rose Bowl, Southampton on Saturday, 12 July, sealing a dominant 4-0 series sweep and lifting the hosts to the ICC Men's T20I No. 1 team ranking. The result marks one of England's most comprehensive white-ball series victories over India in recent memory.
Buttler and Brook's Record Partnership
The centrepiece of England's innings was a mammoth 233-run second-wicket stand between Buttler and Harry Brook, who contributed an unbeaten 95. The partnership dismantled India's bowling attack on a good surface at The Rose Bowl, with the pair rotating strike efficiently while also clearing the boundary at will on the large ground.
Buttler, who claimed the Player of the Match award, admitted he had endured a lean run of form before this knock. 'Delighted. Had a lean patch for a bit. Happy to be back to my best,' he said at the post-match presentation. He credited the conditions, the pitch, and Brook's relentless pressure on bowlers for enabling the big total.
What Buttler Said About the Series Win
'Great team performance, to win 4-0 against India is a big achievement. Different players have made great contributions across disciplines, which is the most pleasing thing for the guys,' Buttler said. He also pointed to his confidence returning during the IPL ahead of the series, noting that pulling on the England shirt added an extra edge to his game.
Brook Named Player of the Series
Brook, who accumulated 229 runs in four innings to claim the Player of the Series honour, reserved special praise for England's spin bowling unit. 'We have spinners with nous and have the ability to make batters think. We've bowled a lot of spin, and they've been exceptional,' he said.
Brook also reflected on the ease with which he and Buttler constructed their partnership. 'We had a lot of fun. Ran well, hit boundaries, and complemented each other. Cricket is a simple game we complicate. Just watched the ball and played the best shot for it,' he added.
England Climb to ICC T20I No. 1
The series victory propelled England to the top of the ICC Men's T20I team rankings, a milestone Brook described as thoroughly deserved. 'We've got ourselves to World No. 1, which was a game after a couple of games. All boys are delighted, and we deserve to celebrate,' he said.
This comes amid a period of strong white-ball form for England, who have communicated and executed plans consistently over the past 12 months, according to Brook. The ranking jump underlines England's resurgence as a T20I force following their 2022 T20 World Cup triumph. With the next ICC event on the horizon, England will be considered among the leading title contenders.
Point of View
But the more significant signal is Brook's consistency and the spin unit's execution across varied conditions. India, by contrast, will need to examine why their batting lineup could not chase or set competitive totals across four matches. For England, the No. 1 ranking is validation; the real test will be sustaining it when conditions are less favourable and the opposition has had time to study their patterns.
NationPress
12 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Jos Buttler's score in the 5th T20I against India?
Jos Buttler scored 131 off 64 balls in the 5th T20I at The Rose Bowl, Southampton on 12 July, winning the Player of the Match award. It was a return to form after his own admission of going through a lean patch.
What was the result of the England vs India T20I series?
England won the T20I series 4-0, completing a comprehensive sweep over India. The fifth and final match was played at The Rose Bowl in Southampton.
How did England reach ICC T20I No. 1 ranking?
England's 4-0 series sweep over India propelled them to the top of the ICC Men's T20I team rankings. The result confirmed their position as the world's best-ranked T20I side.
Who won the Player of the Series award?
Harry Brook was named Player of the Series after scoring 229 runs in four innings. He also contributed an unbeaten 95 in the fifth T20I, sharing a 233-run stand with Buttler.
What did Buttler say about England's series win?
Buttler called it 'a big achievement' and credited contributions across disciplines. He said the win was the result of a great team performance and highlighted the impact of different players stepping up throughout the series.
