Known for revolutionizing Test cricket with his ultra-aggressive 'Bazball' approach, England head coach Brendon McCullum on Monday (January 20) surprised the masses by saying that the Three Lions will adopt a "watchful style of cricket" in the upcoming white-ball series against India.
McCullum was appointed England’s Test coach in May 2022. Now, the impressive work earned him the white-ball gig as well. The five T20Is and three ODIs against India, starting January 22 in Kolkata, will mark his maiden assignment as the limited-overs coach.
"I know it's going to be a tough tour, taking on a very good Indian side, but I'm sure we'll play what I hope is a very watchful style of cricket," McCullum said during a media interaction in Kolkata.
The ODI series is seen as a final dress rehearsal for both teams ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, slated to be held in Pakistan and UAE from February 19 to March 9.
"We'll use the next few weeks to hit the ground running. There will be times when we don’t quite get it right, but hopefully, we can work through that and be in top shape for the Champions Trophy," he added.
Despite England’s reputation for power-hitting, McCullum highlighted the need to acclimatize to Indian conditions and make the most of their resources.
"You won't win every game, but it's about getting the best out of the talent we have, gelling the guys together, and finding complementary skills," McCullum noted.
Skipper Jos Buttler, who led England to the T20 World Cup title in 2022 and was part of their 2019 ODI World Cup-winning squad, has faced challenges in maintaining the team’s dominance in recent months.
McCullum, however, expressed full confidence in Buttler’s leadership. "Jos is excited about the team and the opportunities ahead. Leading in the latter part of your career can sometimes feel like a burden, but it can also free you up to enjoy the game and focus on bringing the best out of your teammates," he said.
The coach predicted a strong resurgence from Buttler, stating, "I’m sure we’ll see Jos smiling on the field, enjoying himself, and performing at his best."
