Jos Buttler might be forgiven for dreading a return to Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium. It was here, during the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, that England’s title defence fell apart in the sweltering heat, marking one of their lowest points in recent white-ball history.
Fast forward 15 months, and Buttler, now captain of a rejuvenated squad, found himself suffering a familiar fate. England’s woes continued as they were handed another painful loss in the very same venue.
On Sunday, England endured a heavy defeat, their second at Wankhede in as many attempts, this time by a record margin.
While the oppressive Mumbai heat played its part, there was a stark contrast between this game and the one that ended their World Cup campaign.
In 2023, energy was sapped and bowlers were relentlessly punished. The side appeared broken, their trademark intensity and flair seemingly absent.
Now, under the stewardship of Buttler’s close friend and former teammate, Brendon McCullum, England’s white-ball cricket was supposed to be on the up.
McCullum took over as England’s white-ball coach after Matthew Mott’s tenure, following years of speculation about his potential appointment.
McCullum initially turned down the job, opting instead for the challenge of guiding England’s Test side, a decision that saw him spearhead a revolution in the longest format of the game.
But as England were blown away yet again in Mumbai, McCullum’s decision to take the reins of England’s limited-overs side now looks more pertinent than ever. The challenge he faced in 2023 has, it seems, only intensified.
While Buttler and McCullum’s partnership was supposed to mark a new era for English cricket, their second outing at the Wankhede Stadium revealed just how far they still have to go.
The defeat highlighted not just a team struggling to find its rhythm, but also deeper, systemic concerns in England’s white-ball structure.
With the upcoming international fixtures and the looming pressure of the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup and the 2027 50-over World Cup, England’s campaign for redemption will need swift recalibration.
The loss in Mumbai stung, not only because of the heavy margin but also due to the growing sense of urgency.
While Buttler and McCullum share a history of success, their immediate task is clear: to rediscover the magic that once saw England crowned World Cup champions.
Despite the recent setbacks, there is hope within the camp that this defeat will act as the catalyst for positive change and spark a resurgence in form.
England’s white-ball journey under McCullum is still in its infancy, but the road ahead appears far from smooth.
The heavy defeat in Mumbai serves as a harsh reminder of the challenges the team faces and the immense task before the coaching staff to steer this squad back to the summit of world cricket.
For Buttler and McCullum, the real test lies in their ability to lift England from the depths of these defeats and return them to their competitive best in the months ahead.
