England’s Champions Trophy 2025 campaign has ended in disaster, and skipper Jos Buttler is now left pondering his future as captain. The shocking elimination came at the hands of Afghanistan, who sealed a thrilling nine-run victory at Gaddafi Stadium.
Chasing a massive 326, England fell agonizingly short, bowled out for 317 in 49.5 overs. Afghanistan’s Azmatullah Omarzai stole the show, claiming a stunning five-wicket haul.
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While Afghanistan kept their semi-final hopes alive, England crashed out after back-to-back defeats—a bitter pill for the 2019 World Cup winners.
Now, the big question looms: Will Buttler continue as England’s captain?
Jos Buttler: “I’ll Consider All Possibilities”
Speaking after the defeat, Buttler was honest about his emotions but refused to make a rushed decision.
“It’s tough to say, stood here right now, and I don’t want to make any sort of emotional statements,” he said.
But he admitted that a serious conversation about his role is inevitable. “I think it’s fair to say that you’ve got to consider all possibilities,” he added.
Captaincy: A Love-Hate Relationship
Buttler acknowledged both the joys and struggles of leadership.
“I’ve enjoyed it [the captaincy]. I’ve seen lots of people say it doesn’t sit well with me, but I do enjoy it. I enjoy the challenge.”
But losing doesn’t sit well with anyone, especially a captain.
“Obviously, I don’t enjoy losing games of cricket. And of course, when things aren’t going well, you do look at yourself in the mirror and ask, ‘Am I part of the problem or part of the solution?’”
It’s a brutally honest self-assessment from a man who has led England through some of their best and worst moments in recent years.
The Decision Isn’t Just His to Make
While Buttler will take time to reflect, he made it clear that the decision isn’t solely in his hands.
“You [the press] are probably not the first people I’d discuss that with,” he said with a wry smile.
“I’ll take a little bit of time to work out what I think is right, and obviously, the guys at the top are in charge, and they’ll have their own views as well.”
That means the England Cricket Board (ECB) will likely have a say in Buttler’s future.
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A Fall from Glory
Just three years ago, Jos Buttler led England to T20 World Cup glory in 2022. It was his first major tournament as captain, and he delivered in style.
But since then, England’s form has dipped drastically.
- 2023 ODI World Cup: Won just three out of nine games
- 2024 T20 World Cup: Knocked out in the semifinals by India
- 2025 Champions Trophy: Eliminated in the group stage
For a team once feared in white-ball cricket, this decline is alarming.
England cricket is at a crossroads, and tough decisions need to be made. Whether Jos Buttler stays or goes, one thing is clear—England’s white-ball dominance is fading fast, and they need a serious rebuild.
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