England's approach comes under the scanner after early exit from the Champions Trophy 2025

The ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has seen some unexpected performances, with the England team, led by Jos Buttler, being one of the most notable underperformers. Despite having a star-studded lineup, the England side failed to win a single match in the tournament, finishing at the bottom of their group. They are the only team in the competition to have ended their campaign with zero points, a surprising and disappointing result for a team that was widely considered one of the favorites. This shocking failure has drawn heavy criticism from various experts and former cricketers, who have expressed their discontent with England’s performance. Among them is former England captain and legendary batter, Alastair Cook, who voiced his frustration with the team’s underwhelming showing.

Cook pointed out the relaxed approach that seemed to dominate the team’s mindset, especially under the leadership of Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes. He questioned the team’s intensity and training methods, contrasting it with his own disciplined approach when he was a player. Cook's comments reflect the broader disappointment felt by many who had high expectations for England, particularly given their recent successes in white-ball cricket. The team's failure to deliver in the Champions Trophy has left many wondering about the future of England's cricketing strategies and leadership.

“All my preparation was done leading up to it, I hit a lot of balls. I see the set-up now with Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes and it's a lot more relaxed. I'm not sure how much I would have enjoyed that relaxedness," said former England captain Alastair Cook on a recent Podcast show. 

“I liked, I suppose with Goochy (Graeme Gooch), hit lots of balls, and if you're in form hit even more balls because you don't want to waste that rhythm. Andy Flower was constantly improving, always working," he added.

England's star wicketkeeper-batter, Jos Buttler, has made the surprising decision to step down from his role as captain in both ODIs and T20Is. This move has sparked widespread speculation among fans and pundits alike about who will take over the leadership of the team in these formats moving forward. Buttler's resignation comes after a series of disappointing performances, particularly in the ongoing Champions Trophy 2025, where England failed to secure a single win and finished at the bottom of their group.

This is undoubtedly one of the darkest chapters in recent memory for English cricket, with many fans and former players reluctant to revisit this period. Buttler, who has been a pivotal figure in England's white-ball success, including their 2019 ICC World Cup win, stepping down is seen as a significant turning point for the team. The question now remains: who will rise to lead England in ODIs and T20Is, and how will the team bounce back from this setback? With the eyes of the cricketing world on them, the future of England’s leadership and their approach to rebuilding will be of great interest in the coming months.