We struggled to impose our game on India: Buttler after IND vs ENG 1st T20I

The target was comfortably chased by India in just 12.5 overs, handing England a 0-1 deficit in the five-match series here on Wednesday.

IND vs ENG
IND vs ENG
Press Trust of India Kolkata
3 min read Last Updated : Jan 23 2025 | 11:18 AM IST

England captain Jos Buttler attributed the crushing seven-wicket defeat against India in the first T20 International here to his batters' inability to "impose the game" when faced with quality spin bowling.

England's new white-ball coach Brendon McCullum began his new innings with a defeat against India after England collapsed against the spin trio of Varun Chakravarthy, Axar Patel and Ravi Bishnoi to fold for 132.

The target was comfortably chased by India in just 12.5 overs, handing England a 0-1 deficit in the five-match series here on Wednesday.

"Yeah, we just didn't quite manage to impose the game that we wanted to play against them. They bowled well," Buttler said at the post-match media interaction here at Eden Gardens.  ALSO READ: Ranji Trophy: Rohit Sharma fails to impress on return to Mumbai team

"A few guys were probably facing a few of those guys for the first time as well. It would be better for seeing them. You want to play better and put them under pressure and get a big score that we can defend."  The England skipper acknowledged that spin will remain a consistent challenge in India and urged his team to develop individual plans to tackle it.

"They're all really good players in the team, and we know they're going to be hit by a lot of spin against India. I expect them always to play at least three spinners in the side.

"So it's just (about) those individual plans and really committing to it to put the pressure back on them."  Despite the loss, Buttler said England will not stray from their aggressive brand of cricket that has been their hallmark since 2015.

"We are always trying to be aggressive in T20 cricket. I think that's been the way in English white-ball cricket ever since 2015, to be honest. The message has never really wavered from that.

"It's down to individuals being able to play well and put guys under pressure and have options against spin as well as we've got against seam."  Buttler was the lone bright spot in England's innings, top-scoring with a 44-ball 68 at number three, while wickets tumbled around him.

He credited his IPL experience for helping him evolve as a player.

"I have always quite enjoyed playing against spin. I think the main thing that happens in the IPL is just an abundance of bowlers and the time you can practice against them.

"I don't think that (learning) ever stops, to be honest. I think Jimmy Anderson, at 42, is still talking about how he wants to learn and improve. I think at whatever age, that's a constant thing," he said.

Looking ahead to the second T20 International in Chennai on Saturday, a venue known for its spin-friendly surface, Buttler said adaptability would be key.

"I think every venue you play at in India is a little bit unique. They have got lots of guys who have experienced playing in Chennai.

"It's a great place to play and brings the different challenges to this game and obviously the games after that. That's the beauty of the game is to adapt to the different conditions," he said.

On Indian spinner Varun Chakravarthy, who came up with a match-winning 3/23, Buttler said, "He's always been a good bowler, and I have seen him perform really well tonight.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

Topics :India cricket teamIndia vs EnglandJos Buttler

First Published: Jan 23 2025 | 11:08 AM IST

Next Story