India look to put BazBall in a spin: 2-1 up after record Rajkot win, hosts seek to seal series against England in Ranchi Test
This might well be the case, as the fourth Test plays out with India 2-1 up, but, if you think about it, the widening of mindsets, based on perceived cracks, is elsewhere. India’s lead in this series is well-earned, but had it not been for England’s win-at-all-cost mindset, it would have likely been 3-0 in favour of the home side by now.
Extraordinary innings from Ollie Pope and Ben Duckett have kept England’s dreams afloat. We live in the age of BazBall, which ensures that the opposition have to adapt to England’s approach in every session, in every innings, if they are to be competitive.
India floundered early on and were unable to counter the barrage of sweeps and reverse sweeps. India’s spinners, the best in the world, especially at home, bowled wide of the stumps on off and leg and were picked off. But, they learnt quickly and ensured that England’s batsmen paid the highest price when they played high-risk shots and made the slightest mistake.
The question that is in front of us ahead of the fourth Test, is if England’s batsmen have picked up similar learnings. Does the BazBall approach — being positive and playing high-risk shots all the time — absolve them of all responsibility?
The results have gone their way, but does this mean none of the batsmen should look in the mirror and see if they could have done things differently? Joe Root has 77 runs from six innings at an average of 12.83. Jonny Bairstow has 102 runs at an average of 17. A case can be built for one or both of them to hold back on the
