ENG vs IND | Reiterate strong message where they are going and what they are doing: Eoin Morgan tells Jos Buttler
India Today
Since taking up the full-time England captaincy in the limited-overs, Jos Buttler has lost the T20I series 1-2 and the first ODI match in the ongoing 50-over series against India.
Former England white-ball captain Eoin Morgan wants his successor Jos Buttler to give a strong message in the dressing room ahead of the second ODI match against India at Lord's on Thursday.
England suffered a heavy 10-wicket defeat at the hands of India in the first ODI at Kennington Oval, London. England were bundled out for just 110 as Jasprit Bumrah took 6/19 before Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan gave India a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
"I know what this feels like," Morgan said while speaking on Sky Sports. "It's not nice - you focus inwards, not outwards. But, having had the experience both playing and leading previously that Jos has had, he will see this as an opportunity in that changing room to reiterate a very clear and strong message about where they are going and what they're doing."
"People will be in that changing room wanting to flinch and wanting an out, but that is the time to lead."
The likes of Jason Roy, Joe Root, Ben Stokes and Liam Livingstone were all dismissed for ducks. Captain Buttler top scored with 30 as England narrowly escaped recording their lowest-ever total in ODIs.
Morgan, who led England to the 2019 World Cup glory, stressed the importance of giving a clear-cut message to the team. Since taking up the full-time captaincy, Buttler has lost the T20I series 1-2 and the first ODI in the ongoing 50-over series.
"You can give the best possible message to somebody, and if they're not listening it doesn't go anywhere. But I can guarantee you that when you lose, everybody in the changing room listens. A clear-cut message from your leader at times like this, and for your senior players to embody it, is crucial."
