T20 World Cup: Jos Buttler can emulate MS Dhoni's longevity as captain, reckons Michael Vaughan

Nov 15, 2022

T20 World Cup: Jos Buttler can emulate MS Dhoni's longevity as captain, reckons Michael Vaughan Image

After leading his team to their second Men's T20 World Cup championship at the MCG on Sunday, Jos Buttler is thought to be able to match MS Dhoni's longevity as a leader, according to former England captain Michael Vaughan.

When Buttler, a right-handed opener, took over as England's full-time white-ball captain in July after Eoin Morgan retired from international cricket, things didn't go smoothly.

It wasn't a good look to lose the ODI and T20I series to India, then lose the T20I series to South Africa and tie the ODI series with the Proteas. Due to his recuperation from a calf injury incurred during the Hundred and during the seven T20Is in Pakistan, he was also a non-playing member of the squad.

With a five-wicket victory over Pakistan at the MCG, England became the first men's international cricket team to hold both the 50-over and 20-over World Cup trophies simultaneously. Buttler was wise in leading England for the first time in a major tournament, making the right decisions regarding personnel and strategy as well as motivating the team to play as a unit.

Now that Buttler has won the World Cup on his first attempt, he has the opportunity to create his own legacy at the age of 32. For many years, MS Dhoni led India as captain. Buttler is capable of doing the same, especially now that he is focusing on a single format.

"To be a successful captain, you must have the right players, but this will give Buttler a lot of assurance that his strategies are effective. He is a youthful captain who has improved as the World Cup progressed "On Monday, Vaughan penned a column for "The Telegraph."

Vaughan continued by pointing out that the team has match-winners from the starting lineup down because of an element of being prepared for any challenge Buttler throws England's way.

"Buttler has a trend and a pattern, but they have every tool in the box with the ball so are able to counter whatever the opponent throws at them," said Buttler. Additionally, steel is present. Buttler's eyes show it to be the case. A left-arm seamer, pacer, swing and spinner, and three spinners give you as a captain complete coverage.

"That is the standard for white ball cricket in my opinion; you need to have options. They have an excellent think tank, but doing that requires having world-class athletes who can win you games. They have match-winners from 1 through 11.

"This collection of England white-ball players is amazing, and for once English cricket has a trendsetting team the rest of the world should emulate," Vaughan said in reference to the 10-wicket demolition India received at the hands of Buttler and company in the semifinal.

"How is business being conducted in England? How do they behave? When England was competing in this tournament, Mike Hussey was their specialist batting coach. If I were in charge of Australia, I would be all over him and ask what they do in the background. If I were in charge of Indian cricket, I would swallow my ego and take a cue from England.