Jos Buttler has expressed concerns about the long-term future of 50-over cricket, acknowledging that the format has been “pushed a little bit towards the margins” in recent years. England’s white-ball captain reflected on how the scheduling of the game, along with the rapid rise of T20 and franchise cricket, has relegated 50-over internationals.
England’s upcoming ODI series against India in Nagpur is seen as a precursor to the much-anticipated Champions Trophy, which returns after an eight-year hiatus. Buttler, who has always enjoyed the 50-over format, admitted that while the format has not disappeared, it has lost some of its prominence in the modern cricket landscape. The rise of franchise cricket and the explosion of T20 tournaments, including three men’s T20 World Cups, has led to a shift in priorities.
Buttler further remarked that if cricketers were asked about winning a World Cup, most would still likely choose a 50-over World Cup over a T20 World Cup. However, he acknowledged that younger players might have a different perspective, with T20 World Cups likely to hold more significance for them, reflecting the changing dynamics of the game.
The shift away from ODIs has been evident in England’s approach to the format, particularly since their dramatic World Cup victory in 2019. The domestic one-day competition has seen its status decline, overshadowed by the arrival of The Hundred. Internationally, ODIs have been given less attention, with key players like Joe Root being regularly rested. Root has played only 28 of England’s 62 ODIs since their World Cup win, signaling a reduced focus on the format.
Root’s return to the squad for the first time in 15 months is seen as a major boost for England as they aim to prepare their best possible side for the upcoming tournament. Buttler emphasized that maintaining the relevance of 50-over cricket requires teams to field their best players in the format. The focus on top-tier matchups could help restore some of the prestige to the game.
England’s squad for the India series is a blend of experience and youth, with Root coming in at one-down to provide stability in the batting lineup. In contrast, Jacob Bethell replaces Jamie Overton as the number seven in the lineup, signaling a shift toward attacking cricket while still maintaining the technical discipline needed for the 50-over format. Buttler believes that while the game is long enough to test a player’s technique, it still demands aggression and a high scoring rate, especially in the modern game.
Meanwhile, Jofra Archer will make his appearance in the series opener after recovering from injury, adding firepower to the bowling attack. Buttler was quick to point out Archer’s resilience, remarking that despite his injury layoff, Archer is ready to contribute at full throttle.
On the other hand, India enters the series with some changes in their squad. While players like Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma shone in the T20 series, they are not part of the ODI squad, with veterans Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma making their return to the format. Despite struggling on their recent tour of Australia, both players remain significant figures in world cricket, with 81 ODI centuries between them. They were also the top run-scorers in the 2023 World Cup, underscoring their importance in the format.
India’s squad is further bolstered by the inclusion of Varun Chakravarthy, the uncapped leg-spinner who impressed with his performance in the T20s. England, meanwhile, have not won a one-day series in India for 40 years, and the series is set to be a challenging test for both sides.
