Ahead of India series, Brendon McCullum strips Jos Buttler of....

Published - 21 Jan 2025, 12:49 PM | Updated - 21 Jan 2025, 12:50 PM

Jos Buttler And Brendon McCullum Webp
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England National Cricket Team head coach Brendon McCullum has stripped Jos Buttler of wicket-keeping duties ahead of the upcoming T20I series against India National Cricket Team. He said that the right-hander won't be keeping and will be captaining the team from the field.

England National Cricket Team are all set to lock horns with India National Cricket Team in the five-match T20I series. The first game of the series is all set to take place on Wednesday (22nd February) at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata and the preparations are fully on.

Jos Buttler will be key for England against India

England National Cricket Team have some big match winners in the team and with India too having young guns in the fray, it promises to be an exciting series. The key member for the team, no doubt, will be Jos Buttler as he has been a beast in T20Is and also has a great record against India.

Jos Buttler, however, will not be taking the keeping duties, and it is likely that one among Phil Salt or Jamie Smith will be taking the role. Salt has been exceptional in the T20Is of late as he has scored runs consistently for the team and is likely to open the innings for the team.

The one thing he [Buttler] won't be doing in this series is keeping wicket, he's going to captain from the field - Brendon McCullum on Jos Buttler

Brendon McCullum confirmed that Jos Buttler won't be keeping in the series. He said that it would allow the captain to talk to bowlers and added that they have a lot of flexibility in the team. Speaking to the reports ahead of the first T20I, he explained:

"The one thing he [Buttler] won't be doing in this series is keeping wicket, he's going to captain from the field. That's 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 build at that last second instead of being 22 yards away.

"We've got great [wicketkeeping] options within the side. We've got a really good squad; we've got lots of flexibility within the group."

I am sure we will see Jos over the next couple of years really enjoy himself - Brendon McCullum on Jos Buttler

Brendon McCullum added that he is excited to be part of the team and lavished rich praise on Buttler, saying that the skipper will be enjoying himself over the next couple of years. He elaborated:

"He is excited about the team we have got and the opportunity that sits in front of us. I am sure we will see Jos over the next couple of years really enjoy himself and finish with a real strong enjoyment of the game at the back end of his career."

Also read: IPL 2025: Rishabh Pant will demolish MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma's legacy to become best-ever IPL captain, claims LSG owner

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