NEW DELHI: Jos Buttler, the captain of England, blamed his team’s incapacity to “impose the game” against India in the first Twenty20 International in Kolkata, which ended in a crushing seven-wicket loss.
India defeated England in the opening match of England’s new white-ball coach Brendon McCullum‘s tenure after the country crumbled to 132 against the spin combination of Varun Chakravarthy, Axar Patel, and Ravi Bishnoi.
India easily chased the target in just 12.5 overs, putting England behind 0-1 in the five-match series on Wednesday.
“Yeah, we just didn’t quite manage to impose the game that we wanted to play against them. They bowled well,” Buttler said at the post-match media interaction at Eden Gardens.
“A few guys were probably facing a few of those guys for the first time as well. It would be better for seeing them. You want to play better and put them under pressure and get a big score that we can defend.”
The captain of England admitted that spin would always be a problem in India and asked his squad to come up with their own strategies to deal with it.
“They’re all really good players in the team, and we know they’re going to be hit by a lot of spin against India. I expect them always to play at least three spinners in the side.
“So it’s just (about) those individual plans and really committing to it to put the pressure back on them.”
Buttler stated that England will not deviate from their aggressive style of cricket, which has been their defining characteristic since 2015.
“We are always trying to be aggressive in T20 cricket. I think that’s been the way in English white-ball cricket ever since 2015, to be honest. The message has never really wavered from that.
“It’s down to individuals being able to play well and put guys under pressure and have options against spin as well as we’ve got against seam.”
With a maximum score of 68 off 44 balls at number three, Buttler was the only bright spot in England’s innings as wickets fell all around him.
He attributed his development as a player to his IPL experience.
“I have always quite enjoyed playing against spin. I think the main thing that happens in the IPL is just an abundance of bowlers and the time you can practice against them.
“I don’t think that (learning) ever stops, to be honest. I think Jimmy Anderson, at 42, is still talking about how he wants to learn and improve. I think at whatever age, that’s a constant thing,” he said.
Buttler stated that adaptability would be essential for the second T20 International, which would take place in Chennai on Saturday. Chennai is renowned for its spin-friendly surface.
“I think every venue you play at in India is a little bit unique. They have got lots of guys who have experienced playing in Chennai.
“It’s a great place to play and brings the different challenges to this game and obviously the games after that. That’s the beauty of the game is to adapt to the different conditions,” he said.
On Indian spinner Varun Chakravarthy, who came up with a match-winning 3/23, Buttler said, “He’s always been a good bowler, and I have seen him perform really well tonight.”
