Jos Buttler etched his name into England’s cricketing history by making his 200th ODI appearance against India in the curtain‑raiser of the three‑match series at Edgbaston, Birmingham, on July 14. With this milestone, Buttler has become only the second English player to reach 200 ODI caps.
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Former captain Eoin Morgan remains the most capped player in England’s ODI history with 225 appearances. Among active cricketers, Joe Root is closing in, having already played 190 ODIs, and looks set to join the 200‑club soon. For Buttler, the occasion was one of pride and joy, though the match itself did not unfold as he might have hoped.
Coming in at No. 5, the wicketkeeper‑batter managed just five runs off 14 balls. Attempting to flick a delivery from Prasidh Krishna, full on off and middle stump, he only succeeded in producing a leading edge, caught by Gurnoor Brar.
England went on to suffer a six‑wicket defeat in the opening ODI, leaving them with work to do ahead of the second fixture at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, on July 16.
Buttler’s T20I Revival
While his ODI milestone was bittersweet, Buttler has recently breathed new life into his T20I career. After a barren run of 18 innings without a fifty, he produced a majestic knock in the fifth T20I against India at the Rose Bowl, Southampton, on July 11.
Buttler smashed 131 off 64 balls, striking 12 fours and eight sixes, at a strike rate of 204.68. The innings not only silenced doubts but also repaid the faith of England’s management, reaffirming his place in the side.
