Acknowledging their defeat to India in the T20 World Cup semifinal, England captain Jos Buttler expressed regret over not utilizing Moeen Ali's bowling talents on a turning Providence pitch. India's spin duo, Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav, clinched three wickets each as England faltered at 103 runs in 16.4 overs chasing 172 in a rain-affected match.
"Yeah, disappointing. I think we were outplayed by India. They fully deserved the victory," Buttler reflected during the post-match media briefing. "They posted a score above par. I aimed to restrict them to 145-150 on that pitch. It was always going to be a tough chase from there."
Having opted to bowl first, Buttler stuck with an unchanged XI, opting for Adil Rashid and Liam Livingstone as spinners over Moeen Ali, possibly to handle the damp conditions. Rashid and Livingstone conceded only 49 runs in eight overs, with Rashid also dismissing India captain Rohit Sharma for a brisk 57 off 39 balls.
Reflecting on their strategy and execution, Buttler commented, "It was a bit of both. India played well, and we lacked some luck in the power play with a few close calls. In hindsight, I would definitely have brought Moeen (Ali) into play. So, there are bits and pieces to learn from."
The pitch conditions saw significant turn and variable bounce, resembling Test cricket in India, as India's close-in fielders applied pressure effectively. "Everyone knew what to expect from this wicket. Traditionally, the bounce is low," Buttler observed. "India adapted better to the conditions than we did."
Regarding their team selection, Buttler admitted, "We deliberated extensively on whether to maintain our winning balance or opt for four seamers on this particular pitch. It was a tough decision, and we stuck with what we had."
Looking ahead to the final between India and South Africa, Buttler anticipated a closely contested match. "It will be a game of fine margins between two top sides. It promises to be a great contest," he remarked.
Reflecting on England's overall performance in the tournament, Buttler acknowledged the challenges they faced and the disappointment of falling short in the semifinals. "Reaching the semifinals is an achievement, but our aim was to go all the way," he affirmed.
Despite the setback, Buttler highlighted the team's progress and preparation throughout the tournament. "There's a lot of talent in the team, and we faced a top team today in these conditions," he added.
Asked about future plans and potential changes in the team, Buttler remained focused on the present. "I haven't processed the defeat fully yet. Right now, I'm looking forward to some time away from the game," he admitted.
In conclusion, Buttler expressed his emotions after the loss and refrained from discussing long-term captaincy plans. "It's an emotional moment after a loss. I'll take some time before diving into those considerations," he concluded.
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