McCullum Hopes England Will Hit Ground Running in India Series

England coach Brendon McCullum is optimistic about his team's chances in the upcoming India series, backing Jos Buttler to leave a lasting legacy as England's white-ball leader.

England coach Brendon McCullum expressed his hopes for the team's upcoming limited-overs matches against India, stating that he wants his side to emerge in “good shape” for the Champions Trophy. The England team, led by Jos Buttler, will face India in a series of five T20 internationals, starting at Kolkata's Eden Gardens on Wednesday. This marks England's first limited-overs tour under McCullum, who previously oversaw only the Test side.

McCullum emphasized his desire for England to play an exciting brand of cricket, leveraging the team's talent to deliver impressive performances. “I'm desperate for us to play a really watchable brand of cricket,” McCullum told reporters. “With the talent we have, there's no reason we can't.” The team's goal is to entertain and engage fans while showcasing their skills.

The India series will serve as a crucial preparation phase for England ahead of the eight-team ODI Champions Trophy, scheduled to start on February 19th in Pakistan and Dubai. Following the T20 internationals, England and India will play three one-day matches. McCullum acknowledged that there may be setbacks along the way but remains optimistic about the team's prospects. “We'll use the next few weeks to try and hit the ground running, I'm sure there will be some times where we don't quite get it right,” he added. “But, hopefully, we will chisel away at that over the next few weeks, and we'll be in good shape come that Champions Trophy.”

Brendon McCullum praised Jos Buttler, England's white-ball leader, who will only play as a batsman and not keep wicket on the tour. McCullum believes Buttler will leave a lasting legacy and is currently in a positive mindset. “He's in a really good space, he's excited about the team we've got, and excited about the opportunity that sits in front of us,” the former New Zealand skipper said. McCullum is optimistic about Buttler's future, stating, “I'm sure we'll see Jos over the next couple of years really enjoy himself, and hopefully finish with a real strong enjoyment for the game at the back end of his career.”

Brendon McCullum confirms Jos Buttler will NOT take the gloves during the T20I series vs India 🧤#INDvENG

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— England's Barmy Army 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🎺 (@TheBarmyArmy) January 20, 2025

Despite England's optimism, India remains the favorite on home turf, led by Suryakumar Yadav. The team has received a significant boost with the return of fast bowler Mohammed Shami, who has recovered from a foot injury. Shami last played for India in the ODI World Cup final in November 2023 and has recently participated in domestic matches to mark his return to competitive cricket. India's T20 vice-captain Axar Patel welcomed Shami's return, saying, “It's a really good sign for us. We hope he continues what he did in the World Cup.”