IND vs ENG: Michael Vaughan slams England's 'Bazball' approach after loss in 3rd test

Former captain Michael Vaughan has criticised of the England side following defeat to India in 3rd test.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan chastised English cricketers for their 434-run defeat to India in the third test of the five-match series on Sunday at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, now known as Niranjan Shah Stadium, in Rajkot.

It was England’s second-largest defeat by runs in test cricket, following a 562-run loss to Australia in 1934. It was India’s largest test victory by runs. Their previous best was a 372-run victory over New Zealand in Mumbai in 2021.

Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 214*, Sarfaraz Khan’s 68* and Shubman Gill’s 91 helped India post 430/4d in the second innings. This meant that England had to chase 557 runs to win the test match and it was also a challenge to their ‘Bazball’ approach as well.

However, the Indian bowlers routed the England batting lineup as they were bowled out for 122 runs as Ravindra Jadeja took 5/41. England lost the test by 434 runs in the end.

‘There is a bit more to Test cricket than Bazball’- Michael Vaughan’s advice to England

This resulted in several former England cricketers criticizing the approach of the team under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum. Michael Vaughan, in his column for The Telegraph, bashed the England players for being ‘disrespectful’.

“Listen to them, and you would think nothing is ever wrong. Jimmy Anderson said they would chase 600 in Vizag. Ben Duckett said “the more the better” in terms of their target this week, but they fell 434 short. Duckett also reckons they deserve credit for the way Yashasvi Jaiswal is batting as if no player in history has ever played an attacking shot.

They talk about not playing for the draw, but to me that’s disrespectful to Test cricket. The draw is a crucial part of the game, and in the five-Test contest has often provided the bedrock of some great series victories,” Michael Vaughan wrote in Telegraph.

“They have to be careful that people around don’t think they are smug, or above their station. (Joe) Root’s shot was another reminder that they are in a bubble. All that matters is their dressing room, and fun. There is a bit more to Test cricket than that,” Michael Vaughan added.

Michael Vaughan stated that England must be result-oriented while applauding captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum for their efforts to make Test cricket entertaining.

“This England team is hell-bent on doing things their way, and “saving Test cricket”. They are giving Test cricket a shot in the arm because they are so exciting. But ultimately, they have to be better than that now. They didn’t win in New Zealand, they didn’t win the Ashes, and if they carry on like this, they are going to lose in India. As a team, you are judged on series victories,” Vaughan added.

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