Jos Buttler praised Abhishek Sharma’s incredible ball-striking after the Indian batter’s stunning 135 off 54 balls led to England’s heaviest T20I defeat. England, bowled out for 97 in 10.3 overs, suffered a crushing 150-run loss and a 4-1 series defeat.
Buttler admitted disappointment but acknowledged Abhishek’s brilliance. “That’s as clean a ball-striking as I’ve seen,” he said. “Some days, you have to give credit to the opposition. He played fantastically well.” Buttler also noted Abhishek’s consistency, referencing his IPL performances with Sunrisers Hyderabad.
England’s chase started promisingly, with Phil Salt smashing a 21-ball fifty, but wickets tumbled at the other end. “Salt showed it was a good wicket, but he needed support,” Buttler said. “You either get close or collapse, and today was the latter.” Despite the heavy defeat, he reaffirmed England’s aggressive approach, emphasizing commitment to their playing style.
The match followed controversy in Pune, where Harshit Rana replaced Shivam Dube as a concussion sub. Dube returned for the final game despite ICC protocols recommending a seven-day rest. Buttler hinted at frustration, referring to England’s non-selected players as “impact subs” but later took a measured stance. “Hopefully, he’s okay. Maybe a question for their medical staff,” he remarked.
Varun Chakravarthy, named Player of the Series for his 14 wickets, played a crucial role in dismantling England’s chase. Buttler acknowledged England’s struggles against spin but remained optimistic. “Playing in these conditions is a learning process,” he said. “We must stay proactive and keep improving.” Despite the setback, Buttler insisted England would stick to their aggressive approach, believing it would pay off with experience.
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