England’s disastrous ODI tour of India ended on a dismal note, as they suffered a 142-run defeat in Ahmedabad, completing a series whitewash. The loss has not only exposed deep cracks in England’s limited-overs setup but has also sparked a heated debate over the team’s preparation and commitment.
Are England ‘Lazy’? Buttler Hits Back at Critics
England’s performance has been heavily criticized, with former cricketers Ravi Shastri and Kevin Pietersen questioning their work ethic. The claims that England had trained only once on tour ignited controversy, reinforcing the belief that the team is not serious about ODIs. However, captain Jos Buttler has dismissed these allegations, stating that while England may have adjusted their training schedules to manage fatigue, they have never compromised on effort.
“We’ve had a long tour with plenty of travel days, and yes, we’ve sometimes opted for rest over practice, but don’t mistake that for laziness,” Buttler asserted.
Despite Buttler’s defense, England’s poor results and apparent lack of intensity suggest that the relaxed approach under Brendon McCullum might not be yielding the desired results in white-ball cricket.
A Series of Alarming Numbers
England’s recent ODI record is deeply concerning. Since the start of the 2023 World Cup, they have lost 16 of their last 23 ODIs. Once considered a powerhouse in the format, England now seems a shadow of their former selves. Their inability to build on promising starts, frequent collapses, and struggles against spin have been recurring themes throughout this tour.
In Ahmedabad, India piled up 357 runs, thanks to a sublime century from Shubman Gill and solid contributions from Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer. Despite an early breakthrough by Mark Wood, England’s bowlers struggled to contain India’s batters. Adil Rashid’s four-wicket haul was a rare positive, but the lack of penetration from other bowlers meant India always looked in control.
Chasing a mammoth total, England showed early promise, with Phil Salt and Ben Duckett looking steady. However, as has been the case throughout the tour, their middle order crumbled against India’s spinners. Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav ran through England’s line-up, while Harshit Rana dismissed both Buttler and Harry Brook. The final total of 214 was nowhere near competitive.
Injuries Adding to England’s Woes
Beyond form, England’s growing injury list is another major concern. Ben Duckett, one of the few batters showing resistance, suffered a groin injury that could rule him out of the upcoming Champions Trophy. Jacob Bethell, Jamie Overton, Jamie Smith, and Brydon Carse are also nursing injuries, while Jofra Archer was seen on the sidelines with a bandaged hand.
What Next for England?
With the Champions Trophy around the corner, England have plenty of issues to address. Their once-feared batting unit now looks fragile, their bowling lacks depth, and the overall approach seems far too relaxed. While workload management is crucial, the balance between rest and preparation needs re-evaluation.
Buttler insists that England is committed to improvement, but unless they show greater intensity and tactical flexibility, their ODI struggles could continue for the foreseeable future.
