Former India skipper Kris Srikkanth joked that England team should take the next flight home, while calling their bazball approach to Test cricket a joke. His strong words came after the Ben Stokes-led side suffered a massive 434-run defeat in the third Test in Rajkot at the hands of Team India.
The former opener, known for his fearless approach to batting, ruled out any chances of England fighting back in the series, with two more Tests to go in Ranchi and Dharamshala.
England was totally dominated by India in the second innings of the third Test. India first posted 430/4d with Yashasvi Jaiswal (214*), Shubman Gill (91) and Sarfaraz Khan (68*) being the main run-getters.
Then Ravindra Jadeja picked 5/41 as England was bundled out for 122 in 39.4 overs, chasing 557 runs and lost by 434 runs. This was India’s biggest Test win in term of runs and England’s second biggest defeat with respect to runs.
Kris Srikkanth said England lack the talent to challenge India in Indian conditions, pointing fingers at the inexperienced spin-bowling attack.
"If possible, they can catch the next flight home. But, they have to play the remaining two Tests.
I think this Bazball and all that are theories that they propagated. Where has it worked? Did it work in the Ashes? Frankly speaking, no strategy can work if they continue playing like this. There was so much hype about this Bazball theory. To back up all that talk, I think they needed the skill to bat in these conditions. You need the talent to bowl," Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel.
Ben Duckett had scored 153 in England first innings, England went from 224 for 2 to 319-all out.
Kris Srikkanth added that England need to look at adapting to situations and not remain bullish about their style of play if they are recovering from the Rajkot Test hammering.
"Yeah, they batted well in the first. Ollie Pope played an extraordinary knock. I am giving due credit to England. "I don't think it (Bazball) will work in the long run. Just going there and trying to hit every ball... I think Brendon McCullum can bat like that, Ben Stokes can bat like that. Not everybody can do that successfully," he added.
"Sometimes, you need to adapt. You can't just keep on saying... I feel it's overhyped. That's my feeling. I may be wrong," Srikkanth said.
Srikkanth was enamored with young batters Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sarfaraz Khan in the Rajkot Test.
"Yes, the series has been entertaining. But if they are playing 'Bazball', then we are playing 'Baaaaaazball'. The way Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sarfaraz Khan batted was 'Baaaazball'," Srikkanth said.
The 4th Test between India and England will be played in Ranchi from February 23, 2024.
(India Today inputs)
