Jos Buttler steps down as England's white-ball captain after Champions Trophy 2025 exit

England’s white-ball captain Jos Buttler on Friday stepped down from his role following the team’s disappointing exit from the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. The 34-year-old will lead the team one last time in their final group-stage match against South Africa on Saturday.

The decision comes in the wake of England’s shocking defeat to Afghanistan, which confirmed their elimination from the tournament and extended their losing streak to seven consecutive matches.

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"I'm going to stand down as England captain. It's the right decision for me and the team," Buttler said.

"It's quite clear. This tournament was important, results-wise, for my captaincy, and obviously, two losses and being out of the tournament, with a bit of a hangover from past tournaments, I think it just probably reached the end of the road for me and my captaincy, which is a shame," he said.

After succeeding Eoin Morgan as England's white-ball captain in June 2022, Jos Buttler guided the team to victory in the T20 World Cup later that year in Australia.

However, his tenure also included two underwhelming title defences. In the 2023 ODI World Cup in India, England failed to reach the semifinals, suffering defeats against Afghanistan and Sri Lanka. Their T20 World Cup campaign the following year ended in the Caribbean, where they were knocked out in the semifinals by eventual champions India.

"It's the right decision for me, for the team. Hopefully, somebody else can come in and work closely alongside Baz (coach Brendon McCullum) to take the team back to where it needs to be," he added.

Buttler has led England in 44 ODIs, registering 18 wins, 25 losses, and one no result. His T20 record is comparatively stronger, with 26 victories, 22 defeats, and three no results in 51 matches.

"With Brendon coming in recently, I was really excited to work closely alongside him and hoped for a very quick turnaround to take the team forward. But it's not quite worked out that way. So, yeah, it just feels like it's the right time for me and also for the team to have a change," he said.

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Jos Buttler on retirement plans

However, Buttler dismissed any plans of retirement, stating that he aims to "get back to really enjoying" his cricket.

"Maybe in time, it will be... I think sort of overriding emotions are still there, sort of sadness and and disappointment, but I'm sure in time that will pass. I can get back to really enjoy my cricket, and also I'll be able to reflect on what an immense honour it is to captain your country and all the special things that come with it," he said.