Jos Buttler has officially announced his decision to step down as England Men's white-ball captain, following the team's disappointing campaign at the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. This news was made public on February 28, 2025, and marks the end of Buttler's stint as skipper after leading the team to the T20 World Cup victory in 2022.
Buttler, 34, expressed his sentiments during the press conference, stating, "I’m going to stand down as England captain, it’s the right decision for me and the team." He emphasized the importance of this decision not just for himself but for the team, hoping his successor can work closely with head coach Brendon McCullum to restore the team's previous stature.
The announcement came after England's performance at the Champions Trophy, where the team failed to progress past the group stages. Their exit was confirmed after falling short against Afghanistan by eight runs, following their earlier defeat to archrivals Australia. Buttler noted, "This tournament was going to be important result-wise for my captaincy and obviously, two losses and being out of the tournament, and with a bit of a hangover from some tournaments before, I just probably reached the end of the road for me and my captaincy, which is a shame. I’m sad about it."
Appointed as captain in June 2022, Buttler succeeded Eoin Morgan, under whom he served as vice-captain. During his tenure, he has overseen 22 losses out of 34 One-Day Internationals, struggling to maintain the success of earlier campaigns. His captaincy included leading England to their second T20 World Cup title, but they have since seen diminished performances, failing to defend their T20 or ODI World Cup crowns.
Buttler's decision reflects the weight of these recent disappointments. After the eight-run loss to Afghanistan, questions arose about the team's future and his leadership. "With Brendon coming in only recently, I was really excited to work alongside him and to hope for a very quick turnaround and to take the team forward. It has not quite turned out this way... It just feels like it’s the right time for me and the team to have a change," he added.
Brendon McCullum, England Men’s head coach, expressed his sadness over Buttler's resignation, acknowledging the effort and commitment Buttler dedicated to the role. He stated, "People forget he won the World Cup a couple of years ago and that's can never be taken away from him. He’s done a significant job, often without his best players available... it is incredibly unselfish from Jos to step aside and to leave the post to someone else."
Rob Key, the Managing Director of England Men's cricket, also spoke highly of Buttler, complimenting his resilience through challenges and expressing his eagerness to see Buttler back among the ranks. Key remarked, "Nobody deserved the World Cup win in Australia more. I can’t wait to see him back in the ranks and at his best."
Richard Gould, Chief Executive Officer of the England and Wales Cricket Board, added his thanks to Buttler for his contributions over the past two and a half years. He noted, "Under his leadership, England became Men's T20 World Champions, and throughout his time as Captain he has been a role model in the way he conducts himself on and off the pitch."
Buttler's final match as captain occurred during the ICC Champions Trophy, where he was dismissed caught by Keshav Maharaj during the match against South Africa. Reflecting on his time leading the national team, Buttler conveyed mixed feelings of sadness and pride. He concluded, "I can get back to enjoying my cricket. I’ll be able to reflect on what an immense honour it is to captain your country and the things around it."
Jos Buttler's leadership may have drawn to a close, but he still aims to continue contributing to the team’s success as he remains available for selection. The search for his successor will be pivotal as England looks to regain its competitive edge on the international stage.