Indian pacer Akash Deep suggests England’s ‘Bazball’ cricket is all about making runs on flat pitches, while India aims to outplay them at their own aggressive game.
Akash Deep’s Take on England’s Approach
After Day 3 of the Test in Birmingham, Indian pacer Akash Deep shared his insights into England’s distinctive, aggressive style of cricket, often dubbed ‘Bazball’. He noted that the pitches in England, contrary to his expectations, were surprisingly slow and conducive to scoring.
“When I landed here, I thought there would be swing and seam movement in England but that was not to be,” Akash Deep stated. He added, “These guys are making these kinds of wickets, they are playing Test cricket that’s about run-making.”
India’s Masterclass Against ‘Bazball’
At Edgbaston, on a pitch that seemed tailor-made for aggressive batting, India turned the tables. They opted to beat England at their own high-scoring game. In their second innings, Shubman Gill’s team chose not to declare, stretching their lead to a daunting 536 runs, leaving England with a near-impossible chase on the final day.
This tactic echoed a previous encounter in Rajkot last year. England, needing 557 to win, had boasted they could chase down “even 800.” They ended up collapsing for 122, losing by a massive 434 runs, with no batsman attempting to play for a draw.
England’s Pragmatic Shift: Is a Draw Now Possible?
Unlike their previous stance, England seems to be having second thoughts about their all-out attack. England’s assistant coach, Marcus Trescothick, a classic Test opener himself, subtly introduced the possibility of a ‘draw’ into the conversation.
“I think if you get to the point where you can draw the game, of course, we’re not stupid enough to understand that you have to just win or lose,” Trescothick explained. He emphasized that “there are three results possible in every game that you play,” while still defending their unique aggressive approach.
When asked if players would be asked to shelve aggressive shots for a draw, Trescothick clarified their team’s philosophy. “I don’t think we use that sort of language. That’s not the sort of changing room we are. But we’re not naive enough to know that it’s a very challenging total.”
Challenging Target, Lingering Ambition
Despite the monumental task, Trescothick didn’t completely rule out a miraculous chase. He recalled their first innings recovery, where a “monster partnership” brought them back into the game, suggesting that once the ball softens, batting becomes easier.
This ambition comes after England coach Jeetan Patel previously declared, “we don’t do draw.” India’s all-rounder had a blunt response to such statements. “In press conference, you can talk whatever you want to talk. That’s none of my business,” he said.
India’s Focus: Performance Over Talk
For the Indian team, the focus remains firmly on on-field execution. As India’s all-rounder succinctly put it, “But, at the end of the day, you have to go out there and perform and take those 20 wickets. That’s all that matters.”
- Akash Deep noted England’s focus on “run-making” Test cricket on flat pitches.
- India set a massive 536-run target, outplaying England’s aggressive strategy at Edgbaston.
- England’s assistant coach Marcus Trescothick hinted at the possibility of a draw, a shift from their usual win-or-lose ‘Bazball’ mindset.
- Despite the challenging target, England maintains a degree of ambition, drawing parallels to past recoveries.
- India emphasizes that on-field performance, not pre-match talk, is what ultimately matters.
The stage is set for a gripping final day, where England’s ‘Bazball’ philosophy faces its sternest test yet against India’s calculated dominance.
