Ashwin questions England's mindset after exit from ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Questioning England cricket's "mindset", former India cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin slammed their approach towards "sub-continental tours" after the Jos Buttler-led team was shown the exit door from the group stage of the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy.

- STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 28 FEBRUARY

England crashed out of the Champions Trophy, failing to clear an expected qualification hurdle of progressing past the group stage of a 50-over ICC event after losses to Australia and Afghanistan. It's the second straight men's ODI tournament where they've missed out on reaching the top four.

Ashwin felt England are at a crossroads after their recent performances in big-ticket events, and the same reflects their mindset.

"I saw Jos Buttler's post-match interview (after the Afghanistan game). He was very candid in saying, 'I do not know what my leadership aspirations are in the future.' They had a terrible 50-over World Cup in 2023. And now they are out of the 2025 Champions Trophy. They don't qualify for the World Test Championship (WTC) final. So, with all that in mind, I think England are at a crossroads," Ashwin said on his Hindi YouTube channel "Ash Ki Baat."

"There was a statement from Ben Duckett after losing the first ODI in India. He said, 'We don't care if we lose 3-0 to India. Because we want to beat India in the final of the Champions Trophy.'

"It reflects their mindset. Is it so easy to go to a major competition and win the final?"

Raising questions over England's batting approach, Ashwin slammed Harry Brook's projection of being the next generation sensation, which has increased the performance pressure on the batter.