Remember the rescheduled India vs England Test in Southampton in 2022? It was the first overseas Test for Jasprit Bumrah as Indian captain and also for Rahul Dravid as the head coach. More importantly, it was the team’s first-ever exposure to ‘Bazball’.
Bazball, a modern-era formula of playing red-ball cricket, introduced by the England coach Brendon McCullum who had ended his career with the fastest Test hundred – off 54 balls – in 2016.
India, who returned United Kingdom with an unassailable 2-1 lead, had no answers to England’s rapid response in the chase of 377, especially after Virat Kohli’s banter pinched Jonny Bairstow’s ego. The visitors had to share the Pataudi Trophy following a 7-wicket defeat.
Also Read: Bazball’s Trial by Spin Begins in Hyderabad
Come 2024, England’s Bazball is in India where they will play the hosts in a five-match Test series which got underway in Hyderabad on Thursday.
It is England’s first India tour since Ben Stokes and McCullum joined hands to revolutionize Test cricket that has seen the pair not lose a series since joining hands. Their style has reaped enough rewards but mostly on the spicy tracks that favour speed.
Indian turners will be a different ball game though.
England can either rule the Indian conditions and wreak havoc like in 2012 or can bite the dust by the time the two-month-long tour ends. But, overall, it promises wholesale entertainment ahead of the Indian summer.
Also Read: Spin Test Inevitable But Indian Juggernaut England’s Biggest Challenge
Former India women’s team captain Anjum Chopra finds Bazball an interesting aspect of playing the format where sustainability matters. Speaking exclusively with CricketNext, Chopra said the concept thrills but England might end up shooting themselves in the foot should they fail to handle it properly.
“I find it entertaining and cricket is supposed to entertain you. But jab apne bowler ki pitai hoti hai to achha nahi lagta (It doesn’t feel right when our bowlers get hammered),” Chopra told CricketNext.
“It’s a new way of playing cricket. If a team can sustain it to get the results that they desire, then there is no harm. It’s go out there, venture out and find out the abilities of the individuals. So if this suits England and they are getting the desired results then it’s absolutely fine.
“Not necessary that it will suit every team, or, even England at times, given the conditions they are playing in. So, I quite like it because it’s just trying new things with the format. After all, no matter how many formats you play, the technique shall remain the same. Advancements will work only if the base is strong,” she added.
Right from its inception, the Bazball brand has polarised the cricket world. While some like the fact that it has fastened the slow-paced game, a section feels it’s a mockery of the most traditional format of the game.
Chopra explained it citing an example from women’s cricket.
She recalled the time when the Indian women’s team played their first-ever T20I in 2006 and revealed that the players realised how different the format is in which they have less time and thus, shot-making was different. But once the team got used to it, they adapted to the format and preparation became the key.
Similarly, England have trained themselves in such a way that they are now pacing things up in the longer formats with multiple plans at their disposal to execute.
“When you adapt to a format, you prepare accordingly,” Chopra said.
“Had it [T20 cricket] been there in my time, my coaching would have been more about playing attacking shots rather than only emphasizing the drives. So, that’s the difference between a new-gen cricketer for this era and those who played in the past,”
“So, they all have learned to play their game in that manner. It’s just a matter of time.
“But showing aggression and being successful is very individual and team-oriented. As far as Bazball is concerned, it can only backfire if they cannot sustain it. And if they fail, they should have a Plan B or Plan C which, I’m sure, they’ll be having. Because just one trick can’t run the entire show,” Chopra added.
Kohli a big miss
India won’t have the services of their most seasoned campaigner for the first two Tests against England. Virat Kohli made himself unavailable for the first two fixtures – in Hyderabad and Vizag – citing personal reasons. The board has also named Madhya Pradesh’s Rajat Patidar as the replacement.
Chopra feels that Kohli’s absence will be a respite for the opposition, adding that whoever comes in his place is waiting for the opportunity to showcase what he has got.
“It’s indeed a huge blow. Actually, the good news for the opponents that one of Team India’s strong pillars isn’t there for whatever reasons. Huge positive for the England bowlers as well because whoever replaces him won’t be at the same level as Kohli. But that doesn’t downplay those who are in waiting but Virat obviously has a massive weightage,” Chopra said.
“But other than that, whosoever gets picked to fill that void is also waiting in the wings. And it also serves as an opportunity for that person,” she added.
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