Back to back defeats, ‘Team England’ split rumours emerge

England captain Jos Buttler admits that it was ‘the same old story’ as the defending champions suffered a 100-run defeat to India at the World Cup on Sunday, with rumors of unrest in the dressing room emerging.

Despite limiting India to 229 runs, England was dismissed before the 35th over, marking their fifth loss in six games. Their position at the bottom of the 10-nation tournament, with fewer victories than even non-Test playing Netherlands, makes it unlikely for them to stage a comeback.

Buttler expressed his disappointment, saying, “It’s very disappointing. At the halfway point, while chasing 230, we had confidence in ourselves, but it’s a familiar tale.”

He continued, “The initial feeling was to pursue the target. We performed well with the ball throughout the tournament, taking some crucial wickets, so we are very disappointed.”

Looking fatigued, Buttler added, “Regardless of the approach, commitment is crucial. For me, it’s about absorbing pressure, establishing partnerships, and alleviating pressure. It’s about executing your skills. While chasing 230, there wasn’t any scoreboard pressure, and we fell short.”

Former England captain Eoin Morgan pointed out that there were internal conflicts within the team leading to the underperformance of the champions. “I’ve never seen a sports team underperform to this extent, given the high expectations,” said Morgan, who led the team to victory in the 2019 World Cup. “There’s something unsettling within the team. I believe there’s more to the situation than meets the eye.”

In the match, India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, led his team with 87 runs, and India posted a total of 229-9, which appeared below par but proved sufficient for a struggling England side on a slow pitch.

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Fast bowler Mohammed Shami recorded figures of 4-22, while fellow pacer Jasprit Bumrah claimed three wickets to seal the victory for India.

England had a dismal start and never managed to recover after being reduced to 52-5.