Following a disastrous ICC Champions Trophy 2025 outing, star batter Jos Buttler on Friday stepped down from England's white-ball captaincy.
After a high-scoring contest against Australia that went the latter's way, Buttler's England was defeated by Afghanistan on Wednesday -- their second consecutive loss. The match against the Asian team was a do-or-die contest for the Three Lions, who fumbled in the last lap despite Joe Root's century. Afghanistan had defeated England in the ICC World Cup 2023 as well.
When England take on South Africa in their final group stage game before heading home, it will be Buttler's final game as skipper.
Jos Buttler has announced he will step down as England Men's white ball captain.
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) February 28, 2025
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"I'm going to stand down as England captain. It's the right decision for me and the team," the 34-year-old wicket-keeper batter said.
"Somebody will come and work alongside Baz (McCullum) and take the the team better where it needs to be.
"This tournament was important for my captaincy, but results did not go our way. I feel it's the right time to step aside."
Buttler took over as captain in June 2022 and led England to victory in the 2022 T20 World Cup. However, the team struggled in recent tournaments, failing to defend their 50-over and T20 World Cup titles. PTI
"By the end of tomorrow’s match, in total he will have been captain of his country on 96 occasions, leading England in 45 ODIs and 51 IT20s. He is the third England Men’s captain to have won an ICC tournament," the ECB said in an official release on its website.
Jos Buttler's full statement
This is the right decision for me and it’s the right decision for the team. Hopefully someone else can come in and work closely alongside Baz (McCullum) to take the team back to where it needs to be. It was quite clear that this tournament was going to be important, results-wise for my captaincy. Two losses and being out of the tournament with a bit of a hangover from tournaments before, I think I just probably reached the end of the road for my captaincy, which is a shame. I am sad about that.
With Brendon coming in only recently, I was really excited to work alongside him and to hope for a very quick turnaround and to take the team forward. It has not quite turned out that way. It just feels like it’s the right time for me and the team to have a change.
My overriding emotions are sadness and disappointment. I’m sure in time that will pass and I can get back to enjoying my cricket. I’ll be able to reflect on what an immense honour that it is to captain your country and the things that come with that.
