For the second time in three ICC events, England has been unable to advance to the knockout stages. The 2019 World Champions appear to be at a critical juncture, with several former players advocating for a comprehensive reevaluation of their approach to One Day International cricket. Under Eoin Morgan's leadership, England transformed the format, establishing a model that other teams adopted and adapted. However, under Jos Buttler's captaincy, the team has struggled to progress. Issues ranging from squad selection and player performance to leadership are plaguing England, with no clear solutions on the horizon.

Following a defeat to Afghanistan—marking their second loss in ICC tournaments—England has been eliminated from the Champions Trophy after consecutive defeats, the first being against Australia. This latest setback has inevitably led to a wave of criticism. Former players such as Michael Vaughan, Michael Atherton, and Nasser Hussain have voiced their dissatisfaction with the team's performance, while Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has further compounded the situation.

"I just witnessed Harry Brook's dismissal. Are the lights in Lahore functioning properly? Because when he played in Kolkata, he mentioned that he struggled to see the ball due to smog. That is why I am inquiring. I hope the lighting in Lahore is adequate? The catch he offered to get out… I am uncertain," he remarked on the DP World Dressing Room Show on Ten Sports.

Gavaskar's comments referenced Brook's unusual 'smog' explanation during England's T20I series against India last month. After a disappointing performance in the series opener, Brook, the vice-captain, stated prior to the second match, "Chakravarthy is an exceptionally skilled bowler. He is difficult to read, and with the smog the other night, it was significantly harder to see the ball. Hopefully, the air is clearer here, allowing us to see the ball more easily."

Ben Duckett made to eat his words

Ben Duckett was not the only individual under scrutiny. The opener found himself in a precarious situation due to remarks he made during the One Day Internationals against India. As England faced the prospect of a 0-3 series defeat after losing the first two matches, Duckett stated that he and his teammates would not mind a 0-3 loss to the hosts, provided they could "defeat India in the final" of the Champions Trophy. Unfortunately, this statement did not hold up well over time, as India advanced to the semi-finals while England returned home.

Although Duckett may choose to disregard his earlier comments, fans on X have not forgotten. The England opener received no leniency from supporters, who seized the chance to highlight his words.

Here are some of the responses:

Duckett started the tournament on a high note, scoring a career-best 165 against Australia, although it was in vain as Australia successfully chased down an imposing target of 352 runs.

Read Also: Ibrahim Zadran Overjoyed as Sachin Tendulkar Applauds Afghanistan's Victory

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