Analysis: Nasser Hussain on England’s defeat and ‘Bazball’ strategy

Former England captain Nasser Hussain lamented England’s failure to capitalise on vital opportunities in the Rajkot Test against India, where the visitors were pummeled by the hosts to a heavy 434-run defeat
To say England was hammered would be an understatement after losing to India in the third Test. The hosts pummelled the visitors on a flat surface that finally worked to their advantage as time passed.

India encountered a snag when star spinner Ravichandran Ashwin had to rush back to Chennai due to a family issue, leaving them with a ten-man squad. However, the Englishmen were unable to capitalise on critical moments that may have changed the team’s fortunes.
England returned to India following their mid-series break, hoping to turn the Test series in their favour.

Despite encountering some difficulties in the third Test match, Team India responded valiantly and defeated England to register one of their most impressive red-ball victories in Rajkot’s Niranjan Shah Stadium. The Men in Blue gained many plaudits following their victory, which set several records. On the contrary, England coped with criticism, and Hussain did not back down.

“One thing Joe will look at is the timing of that shot. Ashwin wasn’t there, India is down a bowler; Jadeja is playing off the back of an injury; Bumrah is playing three Tests in a row and there is talk of him needing a rest,” Nasser Hussain was quoted as saying by Sky Sports.

“Bazball is about being attacked but it is also about soaking up pressure. Get Bumrah into his second or third spell, take it deep and then play the shot later in the day,” he added.

Former England captain Sir Alastair Cook reflected on the visitors’ defeat and questioned the timing of the shot rather than Root’s decision to play it, citing his prior success with it in last summer’s Ashes.
England’s game plan began to crumble exactly with the removal of their greatest batsman, Joe Root, who was caught at second slip for 18 while attempting to reverse-scoop Jasprit Bumrah.