‘Am I part of the problem or solution’: Jos Buttler on England captaincy future after Champions Trophy exit | Cricket News
England’s eight-run defeat to Afghanan in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 encounter at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Wednesday has unsettled the former world champions’ set-up, with skipper Jos Buttler contemplating his future in the role after another group-stage exit.
In a do-or-die contest, England came up eight runs short as Afghanan put on an inspired performance to pile on 325 runs on the back of opener Ibrahim Zadran’s 177 and held their nerves to see off the 2019 World Cup winners. The defeat marked England’s seventh successive loss under Buttler’s captaincy starting from last month’s tour to India. After being blanked 3-0 in the ODIs in India, England’s Champions Trophy got off on a wry note after they failed to defend another 300-plus score against a depleted Australia.
The Champions Trophy is the third ICC tournament in as many years where Buttler and Co. have failed to reach the knockouts. While the England captain admitted that he would not take any hasty decisions, Buttler said it might be the right time for introspection.
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“Yeah, I think the results aren’t where they need to be and I need to consider all possibilities. And like I said we need to get us as a team back to where England cricket needs to be in the white ball formats. And I think I’ve got to work out personally am I part of the problem or am I part of the solution?”
“As I said, I’m not going to make any emotional decisions right here, right now. You’re probably not the first people I’d discuss that with. And take a little bit of time to just work out personally what I think is right. And obviously, the guys at the top are in charge and they will have their views as well – so as I said, we need to get the team back to where it needs to be – competing to win these tournaments and as I said I’ve got to work out – am I part of the solution or not?” Buttler added.
With only a solitary hundred to his name in his last 58 white-ball games for England, Buttler was asked whether the leadership tag was taking a toll.
“It’s had its moments for sure. I know lots of people think it doesn’t sit well with me being captain and that kind of thing but I really do enjoy it. I enjoy leading. Even before when I wasn’t captain I’d like to think of myself as a leader in the team. But, results are tough and they weigh heavy at times. And, of course, you want to be leading a winning team and we haven’t been that for a while now so obviously that brings some difficult moments,” said Buttler.
