Follow UsBrendon McCullum takes charge of England's white-ball set-up for the first time, starting with the five-match T20 International (T20I) series against India, starting January 22 (Wednesday) in Kolkata.
Since taking over as the head coach of the Test side, McCullum has taken England to great heights, inducing an attacking brand of cricket. That is what he hopes to achieve with the white-ball side. While he had Ben Stokes in the Test arena, McCullum hopes that Jos Buttler too has a similar impact, who he believes still as his best days ahead of him.
"He's smiling, that's good. He's very happy at the moment," McCullum said ahead of the T20I series opener.
"Obviously we've known for a couple of months that this was going to unfold, so there's been plenty of time to chat to Jos over the last couple of months.
"When I took over the Test job, Stokesy and I knew each other, and there was a mutual respect, but I wouldn't say we were friends necessarily, even though it's now a really tight personal relationship, as well as a working relationship.
"With Jos, we actually start from a slightly stronger base. Jos and I have been friends for a long time, we've often shared some of the philosophies of game, and that friendship gives us really good base to be able to be able to get things going pretty quickly with this team.
"He's in really good space. He's excited about the team, and the opportunity that sits in front of us, I'm sure we'll see Jos really enjoy himself over the next couple of years, and hopefully finish with a real strong enjoyment for the game at the back end of his career."
McCullum also confirmed that Buttler will not take the gloves, with Phil Salt to take over the wicketkeeping duties. "It's really a really positive thing for us because it gives Jos the opportunity to have the last say with the bowler and to have that relationship built at that last second, rather than from 22 yards away.
"We've got great keeping options within the side as well."
Despite achieving everything there is to achieve in white-ball cricket, including winning two World Cups, McCullum believes Buttler's best years are ahead of him. "I think his best years are definitely ahead," he said.
"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.
"It's going to be a tough tour. We're taking on a very good India side, and I'm sure we'll play what I hope is a very watchable style of cricket. I'm sure there'll be some times we don't quite get it right, but hopefully, we'll chisel away at that over the next few weeks and be in good shape come the Champions Trophy.
"But we are very much focused on this series, knowing India are a very good cricket team, particularly in their own conditions."
After the five-match T20I series, England and India will play three One-Day Internationals (ODIs), which will act as a preparation for the ICC Champions Trophy, starting on February 19.