Jos Buttler Resigns as England’s White-Ball Captain After Early Champions Trophy Exit

England’s white-ball cricket team will undergo a leadership change as Jos Buttler has announced his resignation as captain following their premature exit from the Champions Trophy 2025. The 34-year-old confirmed his decision in Karachi ahead of England’s final group-stage match against South Africa.

"Right Decision for the Team" – Buttler

Speaking at a press conference on February 28, Buttler emphasized that stepping down was in the best interest of both himself and the team.

“It’s the right decision for me, it’s the right decision for the team. Hopefully, someone else can work closely with Brendon McCullum to bring the team back to where it needs to be,” Buttler said.

England’s campaign in the Champions Trophy ended in disappointment after consecutive defeats against Australia and Afghanistan in Lahore. Their struggles were a continuation of poor form in ODI cricket, following a 0-3 series defeat against India just before the tournament.

Disappointing Stint as Captain

Buttler admitted that his captaincy fate was tied to England’s performance in the Champions Trophy.

“This tournament was crucial for my captaincy, and with two losses knocking us out, along with previous struggles, I feel I’ve reached the end of the road,” he said.

He acknowledged feeling a mix of sadness and disappointment but expressed gratitude for the honor of leading England.

Buttler’s Journey as Captain

Buttler took over England’s white-ball leadership in 2022 following Eoin Morgan’s retirement and had an immediate impact, guiding the team to a T20 World Cup victory in Australia later that year. However, results in ODIs and T20Is declined thereafter:

  • 2023 ODI World Cup: Knocked out in the group stage
  • 2024 T20 World Cup: Eliminated in the semifinals by India
  • 2025 Champions Trophy: Early exit after back-to-back losses

To reverse England’s fortunes, the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) appointed Brendon McCullum as head coach for white-ball teams in early 2025. However, England lost 9 out of 10 white-ball matches under his coaching, failing to regain momentum.

Captaincy Record & The Road Ahead

In his tenure, Buttler captained England in 44 ODIs (winning 18) and 51 T20Is (winning 26), leaving him with one of the lowest win-loss ratios for an England captain with a minimum of 15 games.

“I was excited to work with Brendon and turn things around, but it didn’t work out. It’s the right time for me and the team to have a change,” Buttler concluded.

With Jos Buttler stepping down, England will now look for a new leader to revive their white-ball dominance ahead of upcoming international tournaments.