Buttler pleased with England's performance in T20I despite India defeat

England captain Jos Buttler was able to take the positives from their two-wicket defeat to India in the second of a five-match T20 international series.

After batting first, they set a target of 166 but were only beaten with four balls of India's innings remaining. The result sees the hosts take a 2-0 lead in the series.

Buttler top scored for the tourists with 45 runs from the 30 balls he faced before being caught by Tilak Varma following Axar Patel's delivery.

"It was a great game, really exciting," said Buttler. "We created a lot of chances and were really aggressive, we pushed them close.

"I'm pleased with how we went about it with the bat, we took the game on and got up to what was nearly a defendable score. I was pleased with the way we played.

"Jamie Smith playing in the style he did was fantastic. There is always stuff we can improve, but we are happy with the style.

"India are always going to take wickets with spinners."

We come up just short in a thriller Congratulations to India who win in the final over. pic.twitter.com/NAcsL5ZhCI
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) January 25, 2025

It was down to the quality of England's bowlers that they were able to make it competitive when India were batting, with Brydon Carse finishing on 3-29.

India captain Suryakumar Yadav acknowledged that fact when speaking after the match, along with a nod to the performance of their batsmen.

"Obviously there is a little bit of relief, they bowled really well, and it's good the game went down to the wire," he said.

"We've played with an extra batter for the last two or three series. The chat was just to play as we did in the last game. We are playing an aggressive brand of cricket but also, when needs be the boys are putting their hands up and building those partnerships."

Varma was named man of the match after an unbeaten 72 with the bat, while he also drove a four to claim the winning runs for his country. The result was, according to him, down to hard work in the nets.

"The wicket was two-paced and wickets were falling so we said whatever happens let's be flexible and take the boundaries when we need them," he said.

"We like to keep a left-hand and right-hand partnership when we can, it makes it harder for the bowlers.

"England bowl short, but we have played in South Africa so we are prepared. Wood and Archer are really quick so we have been working hard in the nets."