England’s hideous India Tour ended with a 142-run defeat to India in Ahmedabad on Wednesday, thereby forcing the Jos Buttler-led team to suffer a clean sweep 3-0 in the ODI series. Prior to that, India won the T20I series as well. Former English great batsman Kevin Pietersen was very harsh about England’s approach during the series. He accused the team of not even practicing much during the entire series.
“In fact, they had one practice session on the day before the Nagpur game, and they haven’t practiced since. Joe Root was the only batter to have done a net session. I’m sorry, but you can’t keep coming back to the sub-continent, making the same mistakes and then having no practice. There is not a single sportsman who goes into a series or career and thinks ‘I’m going to get better without practice.’ I am sorry; I was flabbergasted when I came to know England has not practiced since the first game,” Pietersen said right after the 3rd India vs. England ODI.
“I totally understand it. Have a great time: these are the best days of your life. Play golf; go out, eat at a beautiful restaurant. But you are paid to make runs: that’s why you’re being paid; you’re paid to win matches of cricket; you are not paid to play golf; it’s not a golf tour that you are on, it’s a tour for cricket. So you have to practice so you get on the flight tomorrow knowing ‘I have given my everything to win a game for England.’ There is not one single person in that England dressing room who can board a flight tomorrow; maybe Joe Root can because he is the only one who has tried and practiced.
“I am so disappointed that I have to say that one can show such disdain for Indian conditions and for India itself. As an Englishman, this is unbearable!.”
Jos Buttler admitted he was completely outclassed by India in the three-match ODI, ending in a 142-run defeat for the visitors, at Narendra Modi Stadium here, on Wednesday.
England’s batsmen struggled significantly against spin during their entire tour of India, which also consisted of losing the five-match T20 series 1-4; they must quickly make adjustments in their approach ahead of Champions Trophy, which will begin on 19 February 2025, in Pakistan.
“Throughout the tour, we were outplayed by a fantastic team. The mindset is right, but I think we will have to execute it better. They have put a huge score, and Shubman has batted brilliantly. We again started off strongly but unfortunately the same story for us. Finding ways to bat longer with the middle order is needed. We were up against a very strong side, which keeps challenging us,” said Buttler in the post-match presentation.
The England batsmen heavily struggled during the three-match series, with only opener Ben Duckett and veteran Joe Root-first appearance since the World Cup 2023- accumulating three digits in the three innings among the English. There will be many questions regarding the inconsistency, especially from the middle-order players who struggled against spin on more than one occasion.