England’s white-ball captain, Jos Buttler, has expressed great confidence in Joe Root’s ability to play a pivotal role in the upcoming ODI series against India, set to begin on February 6 in Nagpur. Root will be making his return to the 50-over format after a significant hiatus, with his last appearance for England in ODIs dating back to the 2023 World Cup. Although his World Cup campaign was underwhelming, with Root accumulating only 276 runs from nine innings at an average of 30.66, including just three fifties, Buttler remains optimistic about his star batter’s contribution in the upcoming series.
Buttler praised Root as one of the finest players in world cricket, and emphasized that his experience in the 50-over format would be invaluable for the team, especially for the younger players who have not had the same exposure to high-pressure international cricket. Buttler described Root as having been an essential part of England’s success in all formats, stating, “Root is one of the great players of the game, so in all the formats here he’s obviously been a vital part of ODI cricket for England for a long time.” Buttler also remarked on Root’s vast experience, which he believes will be crucial for the England squad. “He’s got loads of experience in ODI cricket, which would be great for some of the guys who haven’t played as much in our group,” he said. Buttler added that Root’s ability to step up in critical moments, backed by his consistent track record, makes him a key player for the upcoming series. “He’s been a vital player for England in all formats, and we feel like he’s got a crucial role for us to play in these games,” Buttler concluded.
Root has been in exceptional form recently, particularly in the Test format, where he was the highest run-scorer of 2024 with a staggering 1556 runs from 17 matches at an average of 55.57. His remarkable form in Test cricket has raised expectations surrounding his return to ODIs, with many eager to see how he transitions back to the shorter format. Root has proven himself as a consistent performer for England across all formats, and his recent success in Tests adds to his credibility as a player who can excel in any condition. Notably, Root has a strong record against India in ODIs, having scored 739 runs in 22 matches (20 innings) at an average of 43.47, which includes three centuries and as many fifties. This record, combined with his experience, positions him as a key player for England in this high-stakes series.
Root’s return to the ODI fold is especially important with the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025 on the horizon. His ability to perform well on spinning tracks, a critical skill for success in subcontinental conditions, will be crucial for England’s aspirations. In the previous edition of the Champions Trophy in 2017, Root played a vital role in helping England reach the final. He was the joint fourth-highest run-scorer of the tournament, amassing 258 runs from four matches at an average of 86, including a century and a fifty. Given his proven track record in international tournaments and his ability to thrive in tough conditions, Root is expected to play a major role in England's preparations for the 2025 Champions Trophy.
As England prepares for the three-match ODI series against India, a historic series win would be monumental, particularly as it has been 40 years since England last managed to clinch an ODI series victory in India. With India being one of the most formidable teams in the world, especially at home, England’s success in this series would serve as a significant achievement and boost their confidence ahead of future international tournaments, including the Champions Trophy. Root’s leadership, combined with his skill and experience, will be essential for England’s success as they look to challenge India on their home turf.
Buttler’s endorsement of Root’s abilities reflects the growing belief in the batter’s form and his ability to make an impact in ODIs once again. Root’s return to the 50-over format presents him with the perfect opportunity to showcase his adaptability and consistency in the format, while also continuing to build on his remarkable Test form. With the added motivation of securing a historic series win, Root will be eager to prove that he is just as capable in the ODI format as he has been in Tests, and help England achieve their goal of triumphing in India.
