Brendon McCullum backs England to win ODIs vs India with ‘hostile overs’ strategy

England head coach Brendon McCullum has backed his team to beat India in the upcoming ODI series through their ‘hostile overs’ strategy. England are set to take on India in a three-match rubber scheduled to begin from February 6 in Nagpur. The Jos Buttler-led side was recently hammered in the T20I series 1-4 and hence will be desperate to turn things around in ODIs ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Ahead of the first ODI, McCullum said that he was disappointed after the series loss but expressed confidence in the squad to win the ODI leg. The England head also said that he’s excited to see how their hostile overs strategy of going after wickets works out in the ODIs.
“It’s disappointing to lose but Rome wasn’t built in a day and the guys are all in on the belief we’re trying to achieve. We’ve seen a pretty clear gameplan of how we want to play. We’re trying to bowl hostile overs and I’m fascinated how it’s going to play out in 50-over cricket, that level of hostility can last a lot longer. We want wickets constantly, we understand how vital that can be,” said McCullum.
England aim to end 40-year drought in India
England will be boosted by the return of their star batter Joe Root in ODIs who will be playing his first ODI since the World Cup 2023. Root has been in sensational form of late in Test cricket, finishing as the highest run scorer of the format in 2024 with 1556 runs from 17 matches at an average of 55.57.
England would hope that Root carries his form in ODIs as well which will hold them in good stead ahead of the Champions Trophy. Meanwhile, India have held the upper hand over England in recent times, having won the last two series against them. Moreover, England have won just one ODI series in India way back in January 1985. Hence, the Jos Buttler-led side will be eager to end their 40-year wait in the upcoming series.