England cricket team coach Brendon McCullum has defended the squad’s training approach during the visitor’s tour of India, citing injury concerns as a significant factor. England head coach Brendon McCullum has opened up on criticism of his team for not holding enough practice sessions during the recent white-ball series against India. England were hammered by India in both the T20I and ODI leg of the tour, being beaten 1-4 and 0-3 respectively.
Head coach Brendon McCullum has now brushed away claims that England did not train enough over the course of the series, skipping nets sessions in favour of winding down by playing golf.
While commentating during the third and final ODI in Ahmedabad, former cricketers Kevin Pietersen and Ravi Shastri revealed that the England team held just one practice session during the entire rubber.
Ravi Shastri and Kevin Pietersen slams England team for dismal performances vs India
India routed England 3-0 in the three-match ODI series after claiming a massive win at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The Men in Blue successfully defended 356 with another concerted effort from the bowlers. England were bowled out for 214. Pivotal knocks from Shubman Gill (112 off 102 balls), Shreyas Iyer (78 runs off 64 balls), and Virat Kohli (52 runs off 55 balls) laid the foundation for India’s victory. Adil Rashid took four wickets for England, (4/64).
England’s performance on the Indian tour has been under the scanner, with the team losing seven out of eight matches across ODIs and T20Is. Meanwhile, captain Jos Buttler pointed out travel between venues and quick turnaround between matches as challenges in their preparation. The three ODIs were played within a week in three different cities, adding to the team’s logistical hurdles. Former captain Kevin Pietersen had criticized the team for not training before crucial matches during the TV commentary.
While commentating during the third and final ODI in Ahmedabad, former cricketers Kevin Pietersen and Ravi Shastri revealed that the England team held just one practice session during the entire rubber. The revelation sparked strong reactions from fans and experts as the team was heavily criticized for their casual approach on an important tour. However, Coach Brendon McCullum was quick to defend his team on the matter, mentioning that the controversial claim is factually wrong.
Brendon McCullum hits back at ‘factually incorrect’ criticism over England’s practice sessions during 2025 ODI series vs India
Brendon McCullum dismissed allegations that England didn’t train enough during the series, and instead spent time playing golf. He emphasized that the team had trained extensively and were striving to keep players fit amid a rising number of injuries. This statement comes as England prepare for another significant assignment in the coming weeks, highlighting their focus on player health and readiness.
England head coach Brendon McCullum has strongly denied claims about the players not training enough following their 3-0 ODI series whitewash to Team India. The former New Zealand captain acknowledged that it was critical not for the cricketers to engage in too much training to ensure they are fit for Champions Trophy 2025.
Former cricketers Kevin Pietersen and Ravi Shastri came down hard at the visitors for not performing well during the India tour. With England going down 3-0 in the ODI series ahead of the Champions Trophy, Pietersen observed that the players spent most of the time playing golf instead of in the nets to address their woes, especially against spin. Shastri, one of the commentators, opined that the Englishmen cannot overcome their weaknesses if they don’t train enough.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday (February 13), Brendon McCullum stated that players already have played lots of cricket worldwide but needed to make sure there aren’t severe injuries. He said, as quoted by The Daily Mail:
“It’s not true. We’ve done lots of training. We have had injuries in the camp so we’ve backed guys off a little bit to make sure we had a fit team. We have three training sessions in Pakistan as well.
“Guys have come from a lot of cricket, and I think keeping guys fresh is just as important, especially when you have injuries. Factually that is totally incorrect.”
The tourists’ batting unit went through the same woes in all three ODIs as openers began brilliantly but the middle-order failed to build on their promising starts. Skipper Jos Buttler was in the thick of their struggles as he managed only one half-century in the series. Despite England’s recent form, McCullum said he retains belief in the squad they have to pull off good performances, regardless of the conditions. McCullum said, as quoted by Sky Sports:
“You’ve got to make sure you maintain that belief in your side and I certainly have belief in us. I believe we’ve got a squad which, if we’re able to put it all together, is as good or as competitive as anyone else, particularly in the conditions that we’ll face in Pakistan.
“We hope maybe a fresh look on different surfaces in a different environment might provide some more answers for us. But I still believe our guys are good players of spin.”
England will open their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign against Australia on February 22 in Lahore.
England to start Champions Trophy 2025 campaign against Australia
England lost the first two ODIs to India by four wickets, although the result doesn’t really reflect what extent they were behind, as the hosts had collapsed in the end while trying to hit their way to the target. England then lost the third ODI by 142 runs. Pietersen had been critical of the England batters.
Only Ben Duckett, Joe Root and captain Buttler could get half-centuries from among the visitors and Duckett’s 65 in the second ODI was the highest score by an England batter in the series. England have lost all four of the ODI series they have played since their group stage exit in the 2023 World Cup. They have won just four out of the 14 ODIs they played in this period.
The ODI series against India was England’s last assignment ahead of the Champions Trophy. They will start their campaign in the mega event with a game against Australia on Saturday, February 22 in Lahore. England have been placed in Group B of the eight-team tournament alongside South Africa, Afghanistan and Australia.
The Three Lions have never won a Champions Trophy title, finishing as the runner ups of the event twice in 2004 and 2013. Hence, under the leadership of their new coach, they will aim to end their long drought. However, it won’t be an easy task for the Jos Buttler-led side given their recent woes against spin in India.