Head coach Brendon McCullum has confirmed that Jos Buttler will play as a pure batter and will not keep wickets in the upcoming T20I series of England’s tour of India 2025.
McCullum said that he wanted to allow Buttler to bat freely and answer India bowlers when he felt the need. Phil Salt and Jamie Smith are also in the squad for Wicketkeeping options and are expected to take up the role.
Phil Salt has excelled in the T20 format in the last 18 months and is likely to open the innings with the skipper.
The former New Zealand skipper said, “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.”
Arrival at Eden Gardens 👋
Follow the lads as they take in the ground for the first time 🤩 pic.twitter.com/jkYB3hYUmp
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) January 20, 2025
“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.”
Buttler had an impressive series in the West Indies last year and accumulated 125 runs in five matches at 31.83 alongside at a strike rate of 168.92 and led the side to 3-1 series victory.
Buttler had difficult time as captain in the last two ICC events, but Brendon McCullum predicts the Keeper batter to enjoy next few years as pure batter.
“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.”
The first T20I match of the series will begin on January 22 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
