MUMBAI, (Reuters) – England have no reason to push the panic button despite their 2-1 loss to India marking a second straight series loss in the 50-over format, said stand-in captain Jos Buttler.
England has dominated white-ball cricket in recent years, amassing nine consecutive one-day series victories. They are also top of the world rankings in the format of 50 overs and twenty20.
However, their seven-run loss to India came in a shocking decision on Sunday on the heels of defeating World Cup champions Australia at home last year.
Buttler, who leads the flank in the last two ODIs against India in the absence of the injured Eoin Morgan, said England were bleeding fresh talent and the back-to-back defeat was nothing to worry about.
“We’ve been a great side for a long time now, I wouldn’t read into it too much,” Buttler told reporters after Sunday’s loss.
“We’ve lost two series now but it’s two in the last 11. We’re still a really good side, we’re expanding the talent pool with a few boys missing and a few other boys having opportunities, which is great.
“And that’s been a big part of us getting better and better as a side and we never want to put limits on what we can do. We will continue to try and push the boundaries and strive to do so. ”
Defeat in the ODI series capped a poor trip to England, which also lost the test series 3-1 and suffered a defeat in the T20 clause. With India due to host the T20 World Cup later this year and the 50-over World Cup in 2023, Buttler was pleased with England’s exposure to the conditions.
“It’s a long cycle looking forward to the next World Cup (in 2023) and of course you want to learn and win at the same time,” said the wicket-keeper. “We are disappointed when we don’t do that but there is a big picture.”