'If we lose 3-0 to India, I don't care as long as we beat them in Champions Trophy final': England batter's bold statement ahead of third ODI

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'If we lose 3-0 to India, I don't care as long as we beat them in Champions Trophy final': England batter's bold statement ahead of third ODI
Ben Duckett (r) of England fist pumps opening partner Phil Salt during the 2nd ODI against India at Barabati Stadium on February 09, 2025 in Cuttack.

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Ben Duckett registered scores of 32 and 65 in first ODIs.

Duckett has no regrets after getting out to Ravindra Jadeja in an attempt to hit a six.

Duckett feels it is about peaking at the right time.

England opener Ben Duckett made a tall claim ahead of third and final ODI of the series at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on February 12. Duckett does not feel that the ongoing ODI series matters as long as England win the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and that too by beating India in the final.

"We have come here for one thing and that is to win the Champions Trophy. If we lose 3-0 to India, I don't care as long as we beat them in the final of the Champions Trophy. It's about peaking at the right time. We've been close against India and been nowhere near our best. We will always take positives," Duckett told Sky Sports after the four-wicket defeat in Cuttack to lose the series.

 

 

After Jos Buttler won the toss and opted to bat first, Duckett and Phil Salt got England off to a blazing start. They shared a 81-run opening partnership. Duckett scored 65 runs from 56 balls. He lost his wicket in an attempt to take on left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja in the 16th over of the innings. The southpaw said that head coach Brendon McCullum does not have any problem with Duckett taking the attacking route against a left-arm spinner. However, he was not happy to get out for 65.

"I am not content with getting 65. But I wouldn't change anything I did. Until I got out I played nicely. [McCullum] will never have a go at me for trying to hit a left-arm spinner for six over midwicket with a shot I play time and again. Stick to the options we practise, there will be no complaints inside the changing room," the 30-year-old said. 

 

 

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Buttler wants teammates to learn from Rohit

Meanwhile, in the post-match press conference, Buttler pointed out that none of the England batter went on to play a big knock. He wants his players to go easy on themselves and learn from Indian captain Rohit Sharma how to play modern day cricket. Rohit did not slow down after the powerplay overs and went on to score 119 runs from 90 balls in the run chase of 305. 

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England's first Champions Trophy match

After the ODI series against India, England will head to Pakistan to prepare for the Champions Trophy 2025. They are placed in Group B alongside Australia, Afghanistan and South Africa. Their campaign opener is against Australia at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on February 22.