The BCCI recently enforced a rule stating that the cricketers’ families will not be allowed on tour for more than 15 days in a 45-day period. These came in after India’s 3-0 loss at the hands of New Zealand at home, followed by a 3-1 defeat agianst Australia Down under.

However, England white-ball captain Jos Buttler feels having families does not affect a player’s game and believes it is great to have families on tour. “I think it’s important. “We live in a day and age now, which is a very modern world, and I think it’s great to be able to have families on the tour with you and try and enjoy that,” Buttler said ahead of the first T20 International (T20I) against India in Kolkata.

“There’s a lot of cricket, people spend a long time away from home, and I think post-COVID, all that’s been highlighted as well. Absolutely, I don’t think it affects the cricket too much.”

Buttler also believes having families help lighten the load of being away from home.  “I think it’s something that is very manageable. Personally, from my point of view, I think it’s really important to try and be able to share that with your family and lighten the load on being away from home,” he explained.

This will be Buttler’s first series as captain, with head coach Brendon McCullum by his side. McCullum, who is England’s head coach across formats now, feels Buttler’s good days are still ahead of him.

“I think his best years are definitely ahead,” he said on January 20 (Monday).

“Sometimes, when you get the opportunity to lead in the latter part of your career, you can be a little bit desperate for success and that can create frustrations, and it doesn’t become quite as enjoyable.

“But if you can let yourself go a little bit, with nothing to prove other than trying to get the best out those around you, sometimes that can lift your game up a bit more. Those are the conversations Jos and I have had. He’s fully on board with that, he’s excited about the next little while, and I’m sure you’ll see him smiling.”

After the five-match T20Is series, India and England will play three One-Day Internationals (ODI) from February 6, ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, starting February 19.