In the heat of the T20 World Cup 2026, England captain Jos Buttler is grappling with a frustrating dip in form. Despite scoring just 53 runs in four matches, Buttler remains steadfast, refusing to prioritize personal recovery over team needs. This stance comes amid criticism from former captain Nasser Hussain, whose advice to bat long has been politely dismissed.
Buttler’s struggles have been evident against both strong and weaker opponents. He managed decent starts with 21 against Nepal and 26 versus West Indies, but faltered badly against Scotland and Italy, failing to build on promising positions. Speaking on the ‘For the Love of Cricket’ podcast, Buttler explained the unique demands of T20 cricket.
‘T20 requires you to keep playing through rough patches,’ he said. ‘Unlike Test cricket, where coaches urge more time at the crease, here you must keep the scoreboard ticking with consistent shots.’ Addressing Hussain directly, Buttler added, ‘Nasser suggested batting till the 15th over. I’d love that, but I can’t ignore match situations just to play for myself.’
With a 15-year career marked by multiple format slumps, Buttler draws on experience. ‘Challenges are constant in cricket, but things always turn around,’ he noted optimistically. England has already secured Super 8 qualification, with their next challenge against Sri Lanka on February 22. Fans hope Buttler rediscovers his explosive touch soon.