Team India wrapped up a thrilling 2-2 Test series draw against England on their home turf, showcasing grit, resilience, and the dawn of a new era under Shubman Gill’s leadership. The result has reignited debate over England’s aggressive ‘Bazball’ approach, as its effectiveness against top-tier sides like India and Australia continues to be questioned.
Since the appointment of Ben Stokes as captain and Brendon McCullum as coach in May 2022, England’s Test cricket has undergone a radical transformation. Defined by fearless stroke play, quick scoring, and attacking bowling strategies, ‘Bazball’ has delivered exciting cricket — but not consistent results on the grandest stages.
While England boasts an impressive 19 wins from 33 matches under this style, most of those victories have come against teams outside India and Australia. Against these two powerhouses, England has failed to win any of the three series played, managing just six wins, eight losses, and two draws.
Their 2023 Ashes campaign ended in a hard-fought 2-2 draw at home, but a humbling 1-4 defeat in India exposed their vulnerabilities, particularly against spin on subcontinental pitches. Now, even on home soil, they’ve failed to assert dominance over India, settling for another drawn series.
Ironically, it was ‘Bazball’ that first stunned India in the rescheduled fifth Test of the 2021 series played in July 2022. England chased down a record 378-run target at Edgbaston, courtesy of centuries from Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow. That game marked the beginning of the Bazball era, even though the earlier matches in the series were under Joe Root’s captaincy.
Looking ahead, questions loom large as England prepare for the Ashes in Australia, starting November 21 in Perth. Can this high-risk, high-reward brand of cricket deliver a first Test series win in Australia since 2011?
Recap of Final Test:
Opting to bowl first, England had India on the ropes at 153/6, but a vital 58-run partnership between Karun Nair (57) and Washington Sundar (26) helped India post 224. Gus Atkinson led the bowling with a five-wicket haul, while Josh Tongue chipped in with three wickets.
In response, England scored 247, thanks to a brisk opening stand from Zak Crawley (64) and Ben Duckett (43), along with a fifty by Harry Brook (53). Mohammed Siraj (4/86) and Prasidh Krishna (4/62) were instrumental in keeping England’s lead to just 23 runs.
India’s second innings saw stellar performances from Yashasvi Jaiswal (118), Akash Deep (66), Ravindra Jadeja (53), and Washington Sundar (53), pushing the visitors to a commanding 396 and setting a target of 374 for England.
England’s chase started shakily, and despite a 195-run stand between Joe Root (105) and Harry Brook (111), the hosts collapsed under pressure. Siraj’s second five-wicket haul (5/104) and Krishna’s 4/126 turned the tide, with England falling short by six runs — bowled out for 367.
The 2-2 result not only reflects the intensity and balance of the series but also signals a bright start to the Shubman Gill era for India, while England must reflect deeply on the road ahead for Bazball.
