England head coach Brendon McCullum has disclosed that captain Jos Buttler will be playing as a pure batter and Phil Salt will don the gloves against India in the five-match T20I series. The first T20I fixture between both countries will be played on Wednesday (January 22) at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
McCullum takes over as the head coach of the England white-ball team from this series, while already working at the same position for the red-ball team since May 2022. His appointment came after Matthew Mott resigned as the head coach of white-ball team in July 2024 after England failed to defend their T20 WC crown, while losing to India in the semifinals.
According to McCullum, Buttler relinquishing the keeping duties will help the side as the skipper could be alongside the bowlers for giving them inputs and charting out strategies, rather than being 22 yards away.
“It’s really a really positive thing for us, because it gives Jos the opportunity to have the last say with the bowler, and to have that relationship built at that last second, rather than from 22 yards away. We’ve got great keeping options within the side as well,” McCullum said in the pre-match conference.
Brendon McCullum further stated that he and Jos Buttler have been on the same page regarding the latter’s role in the team. According to him, due to being friends for a long time, they have the capability to turn things around quickly for the side.
“With Jos, we actually start from a slightly stronger base. Jos and I have been friends for a long time, we’ve often shared some of the philosophies of game, and that friendship gives us really good base to be able to be able to get things going pretty quickly with this team,” McCullum said.
Brendon McCullum wants Jos Buttler to enjoy his battting
Jos Buttler led the England side to a title victory in the 2022 T20 World Cup, but has had a rough last two years since then. Under his leadership, England failed to reach the semi-finals of the 2023 ODI World Cup and failed to defend their title in the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Moreover, Buttler sustained a calf injury after the 2024 T20 World Cup and missed the entire Men’s Hundred and white-ball series against Australia, ODI series against West Indies. He then slammed 125 runs in five T20Is against West Indies, with a top score of 83.
After being freed up of wicket-keeping duties, McCullum feels Jos Buttler is excited for the India Tour and ready to produce his best.
“I think his best years are definitely ahead,” McCullum said.
“He’s in really good space. He’s excited about the team, and the opportunity that sits in front of us, I’m sure we’ll see Jos really enjoy himself over the next couple of years, and hopefully finish with a real strong enjoyment for the game at the back end of his career,” he added.
