England take on India in the first of a five-match T20 series in Kolkata today, with Brendon McCullum hoping to make the perfect start leading the side.
The match sees England Test coach McCullum in charge of his first match in international white-ball cricket, having previously had success in franchise cricket. And the first challenge sees England face India, who won the 2024 T20 World Cup, beating the tourists at the semi-final stage.
The match also marks the start of preparations for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy, which begins on 19 February and will be held in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates.
Follow all the latest action from Eden Gardens below:
50 for Jos Buttler! England 81-4; Buttler 50, Bethell 5 (11.1 overs)
Back comes Hardik Pandya with a slower ball bouncer that Jos Buttler waits an age for, a tug around the corner enough to raise his bat from 34 balls. A captain’s knock with all around him struggling – but plenty more to do.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 January 2025 14:31
England 80-4; Buttler 49, Bethell 5 (11 overs)
I did wonder if India might have been regretting not picking an extra seamer when Arshdeep Singh was hooping it around corners earlier, but their spinners are doing the trick through these middle overs, putting the clamps on and rattling through their deliveries to not allow England time to think. It appears Buttler and Bethell are, indeed, in rebuilding mode, working some singles from Ravi Bishnoi’s second set of six.
Buttler is just a couple away from a half century and launches into an attempted sweep as Bishnoi tosses one up, but only succeeds in bottom edging to short fine leg. He’ll nick the strike with a drive to long off.
Harry Latham-Coyle22 January 2025 14:29
England 73-4; Buttler 47, Bethell 3 (10 overs)
Boy, that was mighty close. India were certain, but the third umpire relatively quickly reprieved Bethell after reviewing the footage. Might a sterner examination have been wise?
The youngster is struggling here, though. A missed paddle earns him a bye before a reverse sweep goes awry. A single off the last takes him to 3 off 8 balls at drinks.
Harry Latham-Coyle22 January 2025 14:23
NOT OUT! England 69-4; Buttler 44, Bethell 2 (9.1 overs)
Is that out? Jacob Bethell is beaten on the outside edge and India are cock-a-hoop as Sanju Samson takes the bails off…but there’s just a smidgen of his boot behind the line.
Not out. But Varun Chakravarthy is causing chaos here.
Harry Latham-Coyle22 January 2025 14:20
England 69-4; Buttler 44, Bethell 2 (9 overs)
Does Jos Buttler rein things in now and try to rebuild? With the dew to come down later, defending will be tough, and England surely need as many as possible. But there’s not heaps of batting to come – Jamie Overton has come on and on as a T20 hitter but is probably a man you want striding out with a few overs to go rather than at this juncture.
Just four off the first from Bishnoi.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 January 2025 14:18
England 65-4; Buttler 42, Bethell 0 (8 overs)
Yowzers. Just as England were building momentum, India rip the innings open again. Jacob Bethell is the new man, fresh off a productive Big Bash stint with the Melbourne Renegades – he was batting up the order at three or four in Australia, but he’s in early down at six here.
Leggie Ravi Bishnoi is the third of India’s spinners into the attack.
Harry Latham-Coyle22 January 2025 14:15
OUT! Liam Livingstone b Chakravarthy 0 (England 65-4, 7.5 overs)
Two in the over for the mystery man. Liam Livingstone is all at sea, neither forward nor back and bowled through the gate as he tries to drive with hands away from his body. England are in real bother!
Harry Latham-Coyle22 January 2025 14:13
OUT! Harry Brook b Chakravarthy 17 (England 65-3, 7.3 overs)
Gone! Just as England were beginning to motor, Varun Chakravarthy snares Harry Brook in his web of mystery.
Brook had elegantly put the spinner away for one boundary in the over but his attempts to delicately dab him again see him come a cropper. It’s a slightly indeterminate shot, and the ball ricochets from bat to pad before the death rattle sounds. A vital breakthrough for India.
Harry Latham-Coyle22 January 2025 14:12
England 61-2; Buttler 42, Brook 13 (7 overs)
More spin – it’s Axar Patel to fizz some left arm skidders into this Kolkata surface.
Shot! A delightful start from Harry Brook, sashaying down the track and lifting Patel over extra cover for six. Jos Buttler follows his partner’s lead, rocking back and launching over midwicket before caressing to the cover boundary as England start to move through the gears. 15 from it.
Harry Latham-Coyle22 January 2025 14:09
England 46-2; Buttler 34, Brook 6 (6 overs)
Surya turns to Varun Chakaravarthy after Hardik’s expensive last over, and the first bit of spin of the night.
Brook immediately goes after the leg-spinner and gets a little lucky with an inside edge that runs for four, having failed with an attempted sweep the ball before. A brilliant bit of fielding in the deep by Nitish turns a four into a two after Buttler smashes through the final ball of the over.
Lawrence Ostlere22 January 2025 14:06