ENG star unconcerned about potential whitewash by IND in ODI series, issues Champions Trophy warning to Rohit Sharma and co

England's flamboyant opener Ben Duckett has stated that the team remains undeterred by the possibility of being whitewashed by India in the ongoing three-match ODI series. Despite their disappointments in the first two ODIs, the English squad is determined to make a strong comeback in the series, considering it as a crucial warm-up ahead of the Champions Trophy. Unfortunately, England's batting line-up failed to meet expectations and encountered difficulties in adapting their aggressive batting style to counter the Indian bowlers, even in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah.

England did try to play an attacking brand of cricket in the initial overs of batting, but they eventually ran out of gas after one of the opener's departures. While many feels the series loss is a concerning sign for England ahead of Champions Trophy but their opener Duckett feels that their focus is to win the ICC event. He said that England don't mind losing 0-3 to India as long as they beat India in the final of the marquee ICC tournament.

"We have come here for one thing and that is to win the Champions Trophy. If we lose 3-0 to India, I don't care as long as we beat them in the final of the Champions Trophy. It's about peaking at the right time. We've been close against India and been nowhere near our best. We will always take positives," Duckett told after England lost the second ODI.

‘McCullum will never have a go at me for…’

The England opener set the tone for his team to post a big score in the second ODI, he slammed 65 off 56 balls laced with 10 boundaries but failed to convert it into a triple digit score. The visitors ended up scoring a 25-30 runs short on a flat Cuttack surface and ended up bowled out for 304.

Duckett admitted that he was not satisfied with his knock but said he will continue to bat with the same approach.

"I am not content with getting 65. But I wouldn't change anything I did. Until I got out I played nicely. [McCullum] will never have a go at me for trying to hit a left-arm spinner for six over midwicket with a shot I play time and again. Stick to the options we practise, there will be no complaints inside the changing room," he added.

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