The fiasco around the announcement of the 50-over squad, whether it was provisional or final, and the eventual axing of Jason Roy in favour of Brook, destabilised England before they boarded the plane to India. This time England have to be crystal clear in their messaging to both players and public.
It is expected that two sets of names will be released, one for the World Cup and one for the four T20s against Pakistan that begin on 22 May.
Players involved in the latter stages of the IPL will be allowed to stay in India, before reporting for at least part of the Pakistan series.
Buttler’s Rajasthan Royals are leading the group table and it can be argued the IPL is the best possible way to tune-up for a T20 World Cup, but the late arrival of the skipper will be another beating stick if it ultimately does not go well for England.
Speaking of arrivals, the last match of the Pakistan series, at The Oval, is only five days before England begin their World Cup campaign against Scotland in Barbados, repeating a late entry into India for the 50-over tournament.
Admittedly, plenty of teams are in the same situation because of the IPL, but it is a sub-optimal start.