Has Jos Buttler played limited-overs cricket as England’s captain for the final time? During the press conference after the team’s loss to Afghanistan in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which eliminated them from semifinal contention, that question was brought up several times.
England’s recent limited-overs cricket woes were exacerbated by this early departure. The team has had a difficult time after winning the 2019 ODI World Cup and the 2022 T20 World Cup. They lost to India in the 2024 T20 World Cup semifinals after finishing in eighth position and losing early in the 2023 ODI World Cup. In response, England brought in new talent for the limited-overs series against India, replacing players like Chris Jordan, Jonny Bairstow, Moeen Ali, Reece Topley, and Sam Curran. Brendon McCullum took over as head coach for all formats.
It was anticipated that McCullum and Ben Stokes would duplicate the Bazball magic they had developed at the Test level in the 50-over and 20-over formats. However, as seen by their Champions Trophy campaign and the series against India, England had more issues than solutions.
Following a 4-1 loss to India in the Twenty20 Internationals and a 3-0 thumping in the ODIs that followed, England qualified for the Champions Trophy. They had a confident start to their CT campaign, scoring 351 against Australia, but a record chase demoralized them in the end. In their crucial match against Afghanistan, they had their opportunities but were unable to take use of them, ultimately losing the match and casting doubt on Buttler’s position as captain.
Buttler said during the post-loss press conference that he needed to reconsider his future options.
Indeed, it’s clear to me that the results aren’t where they should be, and I personally need to weigh all of my options. As I have stated, it is imperative that we as a team return to the level at which England cricket should be in the white ball formats. And I believe I need to determine whether I am contributing to the issue or finding a solution.
“At this moment, I will not make any emotional decisions. I probably wouldn’t bring that up with you first. And spend a little time figuring out what I believe is right on my own. Buttler stated, “We need to get the team back to where it needs to be – competing for winning these tournaments.” It goes without saying that the men at the top are in command and will have their own opinions.
However, Buttler’s personal form has also been questioned. Buttler has played eight ODI innings since the 2023 World Cup ended, averaging 30.57 for his 214 runs and recording a maximum of 58 not out. Buttler has not been at his best batting-wise, scoring 271 runs in nine innings following the 2024 T20 World Cup, including two fifties, at an average of 30.11 in T20Is.
Buttler described his innings against Afghanistan as follows: “I just missed a few balls early in my innings and then got myself to nearly run a ball – 38 or whatever I got out for.” “So, I managed to put myself in a favorable situation once more. Additionally, I simply haven’t been turning those positions into some of the innings I’ve previously played while wearing an England shirt. And it’s clear that’s frustrating. As I previously stated, I believe that when I’m playing at my peak, I’m among the world’s finest players, and the team needs that from me, which I haven’t been providing.”
“It’s definitely had its moments,” Buttler said while discussing his time as captain over the past few years. I am aware that many people find it awkward that I am captain and all that, but I truly love it. I like being in charge. I prefer to think of myself as a team leader even when I wasn’t captain. However, outcomes might be difficult and burdensome at times. Naturally, you want to be in charge of a winning club, and since we haven’t been in that position for a while, there will inevitably be challenging times.”
India
