Ravichandran Ashwin, the Indian off-spinner, expressed that “Bazball” doesn’t suit India’s cricketing culture, and in a humorous manner, he suggested that four players might be dropped from the playing XI if India attempted it and failed.
Bazball, the England cricket team’s ultra-aggressive batting approach, popularized by coach Brendon McCullum, has been a significant topic in cricket discussions lately, particularly during the Ashes 2023, which concluded with a 2-2 draw.
While India displayed glimpses of unconventionally aggressive batting during the West Indies Test series, Ashwin elaborated on why he believes Bazball wouldn’t be effective for India on his YouTube channel.
“We refined it slightly as the series wore on” – McCullum’s view on Bazball
He presented a hypothetical scenario of India playing Bazball during their transition phase and a player emulating Harry Brook’s throwing-the-bat approach, resulting in losing two Test matches.
In such a situation, Ashwin questioned whether they would back Bazball and the players. He pointed out that India’s cricketing culture traditionally involved dropping players when such scenarios occurred, which is why blindly copying others’ styles wouldn’t work for India.
Ashwin emphasized that England’s cricketers can freely play Bazball because they receive full support from the team management, selectors, and fans. This wholehearted support enables them to stick to their aggressive approach.
Bazball's next destination:
Hyderabad after 177 days…!! pic.twitter.com/646Whlm2Kd
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) August 1, 2023
England, despite losing the first two Ashes Tests, remained committed to their aggressive batting style and managed to win two of the last three Tests.
England Test coach Brendon McCullum shared his thoughts on the closely contested Ashes series, suggesting that they might have been too aggressive at the series’ outset.
However, they adjusted and refined their approach as the series progressed, leading to a competitive battle against Australia. In the final Test at The Oval, England bowled out Australia for 334 on Day 5, securing a 49-run victory and leveling the series 2-2.
Get the latest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.