Ravi Shastri's Claim and Jos Buttler's Counter! A Walk-Around the England's Training Controversy
England's Training Controversy: India swept the ODI series against England with a commanding 3-0 victory at home. However, England's lackluster performance has drawn criticism. Former India head coach Ravi Shastri suggests that the team’s poor form stems from a negligent approach to practice sessions. England captain Jos Buttler has dismissed Shastri’s claims, offering a contrasting perspective on the matter.
IND vs ENG ODI Series Summary
India secured a commanding 4-1 victory in the T20I series and carried that momentum into the ODIs. The series opener in Nagpur saw England opt to bat first after winning the toss. However, their batting effort was underwhelming, managing just 248 runs. India comfortably chased the target in 39 overs, making a strong statement.
In the second ODI at Barabati Stadium, England showed improvement, posting 304. However, Rohit Sharma’s comeback century anchored India's chase, showcasing their superior batting strength. With this win, India sealed the series.
The final ODI was England’s last chance to salvage pride. India’s batting lineup delivered collectively, setting a daunting 350+ target. England’s top order failed to convert starts, while the middle order collapsed entirely, leading to their worst batting display of the tour. India cruised to a dominant 142-run victory, completing a 3-0 series sweep.
Ravi Shastri-Kevin Peterson and the Training session
As England suffered a crushing 142-run defeat, marking their seventh loss in eight matches, former India cricketer and coach Ravi Shastri criticized their preparation. While commentating, Shastri remarked that the visitors had “barely had a proper net session throughout the tour, if at all.”
He emphasized that progress is impossible without putting in the necessary effort, as England once again struggled with the bat, collapsing to 214 all out while chasing India's imposing total of 356.
Former England captain Kevin Pietersen also weighed in, questioning why Tom Banton—who arrived in India on Monday as a replacement for the injured Jacob Bethell—was seen on the golf course the next day instead of honing his skills in training. Later, Pietersen reinforced his stance through a social media post, strongly criticizing England’s preparation and overall approach.
Despite having several days off, England’s demanding schedule has included six internal flights, three of which exceeded 1200 Kms. This rigorous travel has led captain Jos Buttler to defend both his and head coach Brendon McCullum’s approach, emphasizing the challenges faced by the team.
Notably, India have had only one additional training session compared to England, with both teams navigating a grueling itinerary—playing across eight different venues in just 22 days.
Jos Buttler's Counter on the Issue
"I'm not sure that's quite true. I think we've had a reasonably long tour, a few long travel days... there have been a couple of times we've not trained, but we've certainly done plenty of training throughout the tour."
"We obviously try to create a really good environment but don't mistake that for a lazy environment or a lack of effort. The guys are desperate to perform, do well, and improve."
ALSO READ: What do the green bands on the arms of Indian cricketers in the IND vs ENG 3rd ODI imply? - Details
