NEW DELHI: After
England
suffered a substantial 434-run defeat to India in the third Test at Rajkot, former captain
Nasser Hussain
has emphasized the importance of the team sticking to their aggressive
Bazball
approach.
Hussain urged
Ben Stokes
and his teammates to engage in introspection as they prepare for the next two games. The defeat saw England trailing 1-2 in the five-match series against India, having conceded a 126-run lead and struggled in all facets of the game at the Niranjan Shah Stadium.
"It's one thing stopping an opponent's momentum in a home series, and England's record at home - even against Australia - is superb.
In India it isn't as good. But if they do want things to change, it can't just be a matter of 'this is the way we play, we aren't questioning ourselves'.
"They've had 18 months of incredible success and this isn't the time to move away from their philosophy. It's a time for introspection. It's a time for the basics - taking your catches, making big scores in first innings. That is how India have found themselves 2-1 up, with two to play.
"If England don't consider tweaks, Bazball just becomes a cult that can't be questioned. I am not asking them to alter their mantra, just to review the last couple of matches and ask themselves: how can we improve?" wrote Hussain in his column for Daily Mail.
Hussain elaborated on how England's early mistakes set the stage for their defeat in the Rajkot Test. He particularly highlighted
Joe Root
's misjudged reverse-ramp shot, which served as a catalyst for a first-innings collapse by the visitors. This error, among others, played a crucial role in England's struggles during the match, ultimately contributing to their significant loss in the third Test against India.
"Joe Root dropped a catch offered by
Rohit Sharma
at 47 for three that would've put a completely different complexion on the game had it stuck.
"England put down several chances, and poor fielding generally allowed India to post 445, but it would have been another story for
Sarfaraz Khan
on debut had he walked in with India four down on the first morning rather than in the evening at 237 for four.
"Another pivotal moment came with England 224 for two on the third morning when Root played that reverse sweep. Now, I don't have a problem with him playing that stroke, because it's one he's executed very effectively in the past.
"But, when
Ravichandran Ashwin
is missing,
Ravindra Jadeja
is being eased back into cricket by his captain. When Root's nemesis of recent times in Jasprit Bumrah is playing his third Test in a row amid talk of needing a rest, I would question the timing of it."
"Bazball is not attack, attack, attack. Occasionally, you must absorb pressure and this was a time to do so, forcing Bumrah into a second spell, making Jadeja bowl more and more. An opportunity for England to make India really miss Ashwin. When the opposition have a bowler down, recognise the opportunity to grind out a score and boss the game," Hussain concluded.
(With IANS inputs)
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