When brilliance masks the blunders

A look at India's performance & tactics, Bazball & the pitches, and how the Eng-India series is shaping up

India’s performances & tactics

In case you need a recap: India lost the first Test after finishing Day 1 at a commanding 430 for 3. The visiting batters — with only one or two exceptions — delivered across both innings. While the lower order did falter, the real concern wasn’t the batting given England’s inexperienced bowling attack (aside from Chris Woakes). The real story was India’s inability to defend a target of 371 on the final day — a defeat that underscored the pressing need for an additional wicket-taking option, particularly with the old ball.

From fans to cricket analysts, there was widespread anticipation around Kuldeep Yadav’s inclusion, especially given England’s known vulnerability against wrist spin. His wicket-taking ability becomes even more crucial when Jasprit Bumrah is rested. However, Gautam Gambhir opted for a different approach, selecting three all-rounders to further bolster lower order batting.

While the new captain, Shubman Gill, isn’t entirely blameless, this conservative approach was evident even during the Australia tour under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah. That consistency suggests the strategy is being driven by Gautam Gambhir. Despite a muddled selection strategy, India have performed exceptionally well in Birmingham — a venue where they had never won a Test before.

Captain Shubman Gill led from the front with determined batting in both innings, supported by crucial contributions from Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, and Ravindra Jadeja. Their efforts gave the bowlers the freedom to attack relentlessly. Even when the ball went soft and conditions flattened out, India were able to experiment with varied plans — including the short-ball ploy — and when nothing seemed to work, they could afford to wait patiently for the second new ball.

Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj were outstanding throughout the Test, becoming even more threatening with a fresh new cherry in hand. Given Akash Deep’s performances in Australia, it was already evident he should have played the first Test ahead of Shardul Thakur — a point reinforced comprehensively in this match. That India have remained competitive almost every day of the series is a credit to several brilliant individual performances that have helped mask a series of questionable decisions — from the timing of the declaration despite looming rain, to promoting Jadeja ahead of Nitish Kumar Reddy with a lead already over 400, and reshuffling Karun Nair’s batting position after just one Test.

With Jasprit Bumrah set to be available for at least two of the remaining three Tests and the series level at 1-1, India will be feeling confident. However, to keep pushing for 20 wickets on the flat pitches England are preparing, they must stick with a four-bowler strategy. Whether that fourth bowler is Prasidh Krishna or Kuldeep Yadav can be decided based on conditions. But given how this win came about, it’s doubtful Gautam Gambhir and the team management have taken any real lessons from it. That’s why England still have a strong chance in the series — especially if Mark Wood or Jofra Archer are fit enough to play one or two of the remaining Tests.

Bazball, dead English pitches and the duke ball

England’s approach since June 2022, under coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes, has largely worked in their favour. They’ve compiled a 24–13 record during this period — a marked improvement compared to their 10–12 run between January 2020 and June 2022. While their away record under the current regime (8–8) may seem average, it’s still a step forward from the struggles they faced before adopting this aggressive style.

McCullum and Stokes deserve credit for fully committing to their philosophy — persuading even someone like Joe Root to adopt a more aggressive role, and making bold selection calls such as replacing the reliable Ben Foakes with the promising Jamie Smith to better suit their vision. Their rapid scoring approach forces opposing captains to be far more proactive, demanding quicker tactical responses — a particular advantage when facing a relatively inexperienced leader like Shubman Gill.

This tempo also disrupts the rhythm of opposition bowlers, allowing them less time to recover between innings. Their workload also increases because the role of the fourth and fifth bowlers is often reduced. Additionally, the spread-out fields typically set against Bazball batting give players more freedom to take calculated risks, with fewer catchers in traditional attacking positions like slips or short midwicket.

One of the most tangible outcomes of this shift is England’s vastly improved chasing record: they’ve successfully chased 200+ totals in the fourth innings 7 times in 14 attempts — a remarkable stat in modern Test cricket. While conditions have certainly helped — with the Dukes ball losing some of its bite and curators preparing flatter pitches suited to attacking play — it would be unfair to overlook the brilliance of individual performances. Jonny Bairstow’s stunning hundred in 2022 and Ben Duckett’s fluent knock in the 1st Test are just two standout examples.

Statement from Vizag Test in 2024

Strong results, clear role definition, and innovative field placements — combined with a steady stream of over-the-top statements from players and pundits alike (see above) have helped turn Bazball into a cricketing cult like no other. Fueled further by an ever-vocal English media, the narrative around this approach has taken on a life of its own. While it’s certainly entertaining to watch top bowling attacks scramble to adapt, the hype can be annoying — largely because tactical missteps or poor performances are often glossed over or ignored entirely.

It’s been clear for a while now that Bazball is most effective on flat batting pitches — conditions that help neutralize the opposition’s most threatening bowlers. As talented as Harry Brook is, it’s hard to imagine him averaging close to 60 in an era where a Test average of 45 is considered excellent without such pitches. There’s nothing inherently wrong with a home team maximizing its advantage — all teams do it — but what’s frustrating is the lack of acknowledgment and the double standards. Asian teams are routinely criticized for preparing turning tracks, yet England’s flat, batting-friendly surfaces escape similar scrutiny.

After the first Test, many journalists framed England’s decision to bat last as a tactical masterstroke — as if chasing 350 or even 400 was never in doubt. But without India’s unforced errors, particularly the dropped catches, England could very well have been 0–2 down. Even in this Test, as India piled on a score past 500, there was barely a mention of England’s ineffective bowling. Instead, commentary (particularly Stuart Broad) focused on praising Bazball for forcing the opposition into defensive declarations.

Most captains would be heavily criticised for resorting to a short-ball tactic against one of the best players of the pull shot, Shubman Gill. But Ben Stokes isn’t most captains. His status as a fearless leader often shields him from scrutiny — even as his own batting returns have declined, while he continues to bat ahead of the in-form Jamie Smith.

The intent, entertainment value, and willingness to challenge old conventions deserve praise. But boldness without accountability risks becoming theatre over substance. If England are to truly evolve and contend with the best in all conditions, the media narrative must shift from blind celebration to honest appraisal. Otherwise, the cult of Bazball may continue to entertain — but not necessarily to win.