IND vs ENG, 1st ODI: Joe Root will play a crucial role for us, says England captain Buttler
IND vs ENG, 1st ODI: Joe Root will play a crucial role for us, says England captain Buttler
Questions have been raised about England’s approach following its 1-4 T20I series defeat against India. However, as the team gears up for the three-match ODI series, beginning in Nagpur on Thursday, captain Jos Buttler has no intention of changing his team’s aggressive brand of cricket.
“We want to find ways to put pressure on the opposition with the bat. You’ve got to take wickets — it’s crucial. If you let batters settle, they can hurt you, so we will be desperate to find ways of taking wickets,” Buttler said.
“Whatever plan you adopt, you’ve got to execute it well. We believe that’s the best way to win games and maximise our players’ potential. So, we’ll double down on that. I think we played well in phases in the T20s, but it’s really important we stay on course with how we want to play.”
The three-match series also presents an opportunity for the visiting team to address its weaknesses ahead of the Champions Trophy, scheduled to be held in Pakistan and the UAE from February 19.
With England set to play all its league matches in Pakistan, lessons from this series against India could prove invaluable. “The conditions in Pakistan may be similar. Each ground has its own nuances, and we’re always trying to adapt. As far as preparation for any tournament goes, taking on India in India is always a great challenge,” Buttler said. “That’s as good a preparation as you can have…”
The England captain also emphasised that adapting to conditions is key to success in India. “Whether you want to be aggressive, conservative, or measured, you’ve still got to go out there, execute, and play well,” he said. “If I look back at the [2023 ODI] World Cup, the two teams in the final (India and Australia) played a really positive and aggressive brand of cricket. Think of how Travis Head took charge in that final — it shows this approach can be successful. This is a great part of the world for that style of cricket. Rohit (Sharma) deserves a lot of credit for the way he has played as captain and pushed India towards that approach. We want to be exactly the same. We believe that’s what gives us the best chance of getting positive results.”
Buttler also confirmed that Joe Root remains England’s first-choice option for the No. 3 slot. “He’s one of the greats of the game. He has been a vital part of England’s ODI cricket for a long time, and I’m excited to see him in this phase of his career. He’s back with that cheeky smile, really enjoying his cricket, and I expect him to do exactly the same in this environment,” he said.
“He has loads of experience in ODI cricket, which will be great for some of the guys who haven’t played as much in our group. He’s got a crucial role to play in these games…”
