England's Sam Curran under fire: Slow, predictable all-rounder struggles in ODIs despite T20 success

England's ODI tri-series campaign ended in disappointment as Pakistan's loss to Sri Lanka sealed their exit, but the result may have masked deeper issues within the squad—particularly the form of all-rounder Sam Curran. Once hailed as a versatile 'swarm harmoniser' capable of adapting to any situation, Curran is now facing criticism for being too slow, too predictable, and burdened with too much responsibility in the 50-over format. His explosive T20 performances have not translated to ODIs, where his lack of pace and variation has been exposed by top-order batsmen. The 25-year-old's role in the side has come under scrutiny, with pundits questioning whether his skill set is better suited to the shorter format. England's management must now decide whether to persist with Curran as a key all-rounder or explore alternative options ahead of future series. His struggles highlight a broader challenge for England in balancing T20 flair with ODI consistency. With the next World Cup on the horizon, Curran's ability to adapt could determine his international future and England's chances of reclaiming the title.