Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was very critical of England's approach after their exit from ICC Champions Trophy following defeats against Australia and Afghanistan. Ashwin pointed out that England cricket is at crossroads following their performance in last few years across the formats. He also recalled opener Ben Duckett's controversial statement on the bilaterial series against India which they lost 3-0.
“I saw Jos Buttler’s post-match interview (after the Afghanistan game). He was very candid in saying, ‘I do not know what my leadership aspirations are in the future.’ They had a terrible 50-over World Cup in 2023. And now they are out of the 2025 Champions Trophy. 1 They don’t qualify for the World Test Championship (WTC) final. So, with all that in mind, I think England are at a crossroads,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
“There was a statement from Ben Duckett after losing the first ODI in India. He said, ‘We don’t care if we lose 3-0 to India. Because we want to beat India in the final of the Champions Trophy.'
“It reflects their mindset. Is it so easy to go to a major competition and win the final?”
Ashwin blames England for Brook's slump
Ashwin criticised inconsistent batting performances. The 38-year-old blamed England cricket for putting too much pressure on young batter Harry Brook who has had a lacklustre subcontinent tour.
“There is no consistent template in your batting. You were marketing and branding Harry Brook as the next generation sensation. But Harry Brook’s game is also sinking. He is now under immense pressure to produce match-winning knocks,” he said.
“What’s happened with England in this Bazball generation is something that they have to retrospect.
“Ravi Shastri has given an amazing comment: that England needs to take sub-continental tours very seriously.”
Need to win in sub-continent conditions
Ashwin went on to say that England have not achieved anything in white-ball cricket in sub-continent conditions. He recalled that England won ODI World Cup at home and T20 World Cup 2022 in Australian conditions. He compared them with Australia and South Africa who lay emphasis on sub-continent tour.
“The World Cups England won in 2019 (ODI) at home and in 2022 (T20I) in Australia—they actually haven’t come to the sub-continent and won anything of repute. Teams like Australia travel very well. They prepare well. They perform well. South Africa also prepares. They put in good performances. But England, I still feel, treats sub-continental tours just as a tick box. Has the time come for England to really dig in and think about it?”
Following the defeats, captain Jos Buttler has stepped down as captain. The clash against Afghanistan is his last match as captain for England.