England skipper Buttler contemplates role change ahead of Champions Trophy
England captain Jos Buttler wants to explore the prospect of giving up the gloves and focusing on his batting under incoming white-ball coach Brendon McCullum as the wicketkeeper-batter eyes Champions Trophy success after two failed World Cup defences.
Buttler has kept wicket for the majority of his Twenty20 international career, which began in 2011, but chose to play solely as a batter in England's recent 3-1 T20I series victory over the West Indies.
Phil Salt took over wicket-keeping duties in place of the 34-year-old, who was making a comeback after a four-month injury layoff.
"It's something we tried in the Caribbean, not keeping wicket and as captain being closer to the bowler, which I enjoyed," Buttler told Reuters.
"I had more time and energy not being a wicket-keeper and around training as well. That's something I found interesting."
McCullum, who already coaches the test side, will take charge of the white-ball teams when England tour India in January.
"I know McCullum is coming in as the coach (who) in his career moved from wicketkeeper to a fielder, so that's something I can discuss with him," Buttler added.
Buttler, under whom England won the 2022 T20 World Cup but failed to defend the T20 and fifty overs titles, said it's his "ambition" to win next year's Champions Trophy but added that he was trying not to look too far ahead.
"We play against India in the new year before that tournament, which will obviously be a huge challenge and good preparation...," Buttler said.
"And to be honest, I'm just focused on Brendon coming in and getting close with him and working hard together to take the team where we want it to be."
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Buttler said he was excited for a new challenge with Gujarat Titans, who bought him in