England Face India as McCullum Era Begins in White-Ball Cricket

England's new white-ball era under Brendon McCullum begins with a T20 series against India, as he aims to revive the team's limited-overs fortunes and implement an entertaining brand of cricket.

England Embarks on New White-Ball Era Under Brendon McCullum

England is set to begin a new era in white-ball cricket under the guidance of Brendon McCullum, starting with a Twenty20 series against India in Kolkata on Wednesday. McCullum, who took over as England's Test coach in 2022, has promised to bring the same attacking brand of cricket that has defined his coaching philosophy.

McCullum's aggressive approach has already made a significant impact on England's Test squad. Meanwhile, Matthew Mott had been coaching England in the shorter formats. However, after England failed to defend their T20 and 50-overs World Cup titles in 2023-24, Mott stepped down, and McCullum was tasked with reviving the team's limited-overs fortunes.

As McCullum prepares for his first white-ball series in charge, which includes five T20 Internationals and three one-dayers, he emphasized the team's ambition to win every game. “Obviously, we want to win every game we play, to try and be successful, and that's ultimately the mission for us,” he said. McCullum also expressed his desire for England to play an entertaining brand of cricket, leveraging the team's impressive talent.

“I'm desperate for us to play a really watchable brand of cricket. With the talent we have, there's no reason why we can't,” McCullum explained. “We've got a batting line-up which is as powerful as any batting line-up in the world. We've got gun spinners, very good fielders and guys who bowl absolute rockets with the ball, so you've got options there to be able to entertain and give yourself the greatest chance of success.”

McCullum's England Debut

England's failure to defend their T20 and 50-overs World Cup titles in 2023-24 led to Matthew Mott's resignation, paving the way for Brendon McCullum to take charge of the limited-overs team. McCullum's first assignment is a white-ball series against India, comprising five T20 Internationals and three one-dayers. Ahead of this series, McCullum expressed his ambitions, saying, “Obviously, we want to win every game we play, to try and be successful, and that's ultimately the mission for us.”

McCullum is eager to implement an entertaining brand of cricket, leveraging England's impressive talent. "I'm desperate for us to play a really watchable brand of cricket. With the talent we have, there's no reason why we can't," he emphasized. McCullum highlighted the team's strengths, noting, “We've got a batting line-up which is as powerful as any batting line-up in the world. We've got gun spinners, very good fielders and guys who bowl absolute rockets with the ball, so you've got options there to be able to entertain and give yourself the greatest chance of success.”

Firepower with bat and ball 💥

Brendon McCullum has named the first white-ball team of his reign for tomorrow's opening IT20 v India 💪 pic.twitter.com/DSFdaWVPrB

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) January 21, 2025

McCullum also shared his thoughts on England captain Jos Buttler, stating that his “best years are yet to come.” Additionally, McCullum revealed that Buttler would not be keeping wickets, with Phil Salt likely to take on the role in the T20 matches. Meanwhile, India will be monitoring the progress of seamer Mohammed Shami, who returns to international cricket after a year-long absence due to an ankle injury. India will be captained by Suryakumar Yadav, but pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah will miss the T20 series due to back spasms. Bumrah is expected to return for the ODI series and will lead India's attack in the Champions Trophy next month.