The England cricket team suffered a humiliating 3-0 whitewash against India, concluding their disastrous tour with a crushing 142-run defeat in Ahmedabad. After losing the T20I series 1-4, the Jos Buttler-led side failed to put up a fight in the ODIs, sparking harsh criticism from former cricketers. The biggest concern was England’s lack of preparation, which many believe led to their downfall.
Former England batter Kevin Pietersen did not hold back while slamming the team’s approach. He revealed that England had only one practice session before the Nagpur game, with Joe Root being the only player who actually trained in the nets. Pietersen expressed his frustration, stating, “You cannot tour the subcontinent, repeat mistakes, and refuse to practice. No athlete improves without training. I was shocked when I learned England hadn’t practiced since the first match.”
Pietersen Criticizes England’s Lack of Commitment
Pietersen further emphasized that professional cricketers are paid to score runs and win matches, not to relax and play golf. “I understand enjoying yourself, visiting great restaurants, and playing golf. But this is not a vacation—it’s a cricket tour. You practice to leave knowing you’ve given everything for England. Right now, apart from Joe Root, no one in that dressing room can say they did that,” he added.
His strongest statement came when he accused the team of disrespecting Indian conditions. “It’s heartbreaking to see England show such little respect for India’s conditions. I feel gutted as an Englishman,” Pietersen said.
Jos Buttler Admits England Was Outplayed
After the series loss, England captain Jos Buttler admitted that his team had been completely outplayed by India. Throughout the tour, England’s batters struggled against spin, a weakness that was exposed in both the T20I and ODI series. Their inability to handle Indian conditions resulted in embarrassing defeats, raising concerns ahead of the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan, which begins on February 19.
Urgent Changes Needed Before the Champions Trophy
With the Champions Trophy approaching, England must quickly rework their strategy and focus on adapting to subcontinent conditions. Their batting lineup needs better preparation to counter spin-heavy attacks, or they risk another disappointing tournament.
The England cricket team’s lack of preparation and poor approach were major reasons behind their disastrous India tour. If they fail to address these issues, their struggles could continue on slow and turning pitches in Pakistan. The pressure is now on England to learn from their mistakes and bounce back stronger.
