Jos Buttler has officially resigned as England's white-ball captain following the disappointment of the ICC Champions Trophy after the team's early elimination from the tournament. The 34-year-old made the announcement during a press conference on February 28, 2025, where he expressed both sadness and relief at stepping down.
England’s exit from the Champions Trophy came after consecutive defeats to Australia and Afghanistan, leading to overwhelming criticism. The loss to Afghanistan marked their sixth consecutive defeat, compounding concerns surrounding the team’s direction under Buttler's leadership. Reflecting on his decision, Buttler stated, "I am going to stand down as England captain. It's the right decision for me, the right decision for the team." He added, "Hopefully somebody else can come in and work closely alongside Baz [head coach Brendon McCullum] to take the team back to where it needs to be."
Buttler's tenure as captain was highlighted by the team’s victory at the T20 World Cup in 2022, yet it has seen significant downturns, particularly during the 2023 50-over World Cup where England won just three of nine matches and were the first team eliminated from the tournament. His captaincy, initially viewed as promising, has faced scrutiny following England's inability to defend both their 50-over and T20 titles effectively.
"It's quite clear this tournament was going to be important results-wise for my captaincy, and obviously two losses and being out of the tournament with a bit of a hangover from some tournaments before, it probably reached the end of the road for me and my captaincy," Buttler explained at the press conference. He added, "My overriding emotions are sadness and disappointment, but I'm sure, in time, it'll pass and I can get back to really enjoying my cricket."
Buttler has indicated his intentions to continue playing cricket, hinting at his desire to return to form without the burden of captaincy. McCullum, who was appointed as head coach of the white-ball teams early this year, has also expressed deep regret at Buttler’s departure from the captaincy, emphasizing Buttler's considerable contributions to the team. "It's incredibly selfless from Jos to step aside and leave the post for someone else," McCullum stated. “He cares so much about playing for the shirt and his teammates.”
The future of the England captaincy now rests with the selectors. Among possible successors, Harry Brook emerges as the early favorite to take over the role. Brook, who has already captained the team during several ODI matches, could be primed for the leadership position, bringing fresh energy to the squad. McCullum remarked, "We've got some time to think about [the new captain]. The news is still pretty fresh, but we'll work collaboratively to find the right person."
The managing director of England men's cricket, Rob Key, and CEO Richard Gould have paid tribute to Buttler's leadership, recognizing the challenges he faced and the impact he made. "Working with Jos has been a pleasure. He has been dealt some tough challenges but never once flinched at trying to drive this team forward for the best," said Key.
Buttler's legacy as captain will be remembered not just for the titles won but for his resilience through challenging times. His departure ushers in potential changes for the England team, where finding the right leader will be pivotal as they aim to bounce back from their recent struggles. With his resignation, Buttler looks to focus on reviving his form and providing for England from the field, as the team gears up for future challenges with renewed hopes and prospects.