Only Buttler, with 68 off 44 balls, emerged with credit before India overhauled their target with seven wickets and 7.1 overs to spare.

Jos Buttler led from the front with 68 off 44 balls but the rest of England’s batters struggled in their first T20 against India which marks Brendon McCullum’s first match as white-ball head coach. McCullum is seeking to transform England’s limited-overs sides like he has done with the Test team,

The T20 series, followed by three ODIs, between the two teams serve as a warm-up for the 50-over Champions Trophy next month.

Skipper Jos Buttler was lone warrior for England in the 1st T20I against India at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Buttler's half-century kept England afloat after they were down to 83/5 at one stage. While Buttler was the only Englishman to score 20-plus runs, only two other batters scored in double-figures.

Jos Buttler can spend hours practising his smile in the mirror. But unless his team-mates can learn how to counter spin, that weary frown will return, and Brendon McCullum’s spell in charge of this team will go no better than what came before.