IND vs ENG 2025: Jos Buttler hails Abhishek Sharma's clean ball-striking after 150-run thumping in Mumbai

A clinical Indian bowling performance and in particular, Abhishek Sharma's exhilarating 135-run knock proved more than ample for India to execute a 150-run mauling of England in the fifth T20I of the series. Abhishek's fearless strokeplay was the reason for the English unit to be under the pump right from the outset.

English white-ball skipper, Jos Buttler, commended Abhishek's electrifying innings and admitted that none of his side's plans worked in curbing the 24-year-old. 

“Yeah, (we are) disappointed (with the result), they (India) played a fantastic batting innings. I think credit to Abhishek Sharma, I thought that’s as clean a ball-striking as I’ve seen, I thought he played fantastically well. We always sit down and think what more could we have done or how we could have stopped him, but some days I think you have to give a lot of credit to the opposition, I thought he played brilliantly well," stated Buttler, as quoted by News18.

Buttler, however, praised England's bowling effort in the business end of the Indian innnings.

"He (Abhishek) played a brilliant innings and sometimes you want to credit the opposition. You always think of what more could you do, how could we get him out, how could we slow him down and, but yeah, credit to us for, you know, sticking in there and fighting back and keeping them down to 240 after the start they got," he added.

It can be difficult sometimes when a player gets on a roll: Buttler

Buttler reminisced Abhishek's stint at the 2024 edition of the Indian Premier League, and shared that he played quite similarly for India yesterday.

“Shellshocked’s not quite the word, I think. It can be difficult sometimes when a player gets on a roll and they play as well as he did. Looking back at the last IPL, he and Travis Head were the same at the top of the order for Sunrisers (Hyderabad) and he’s brought that into India," concluded Buttler.

Also Read: 'Haven't seen a T20 hundred like this' - Gautam Gambhir in awe of Abhishek Sharma's blazing ton against England

England suffered their heaviest defeat in T20Is yesterday. Buttler and Co. would be keen on upping their performance during the three-match ODI series to be played soon. The first game of the 50-over leg is scheduled to commence on Thursday, February 6.