England started their five-Test tour of India with a 28-run victory in Hyderabad. However, the visitors failed to build on it and lost the next three matches in Vizag, Rajkot and Ranchi to concede the series.
Having been bundled out for 218 on Day 1 of the fifth and final Test in Dharamsala, the Three Lions are staring at a 4-1 series defeat.
England were 100/1 at one stage but India’s spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav (5/72) and R Ashwin (4/51) ran through their batting line-up in the post-lunch session.
Disappointed with the performance of English batters, former skipper Nasser Hussain said that the team can’t hind behind the ultra-aggressive 'Bazball' approach after every failure.
"Missed opportunity, definitely in the last two matches. They had the opportunities to win those games and they didn't. The second session between Lunch and Tea today was probably the most disappointing session for England on this tour. From 175 for three to 175 for 6, middle order blown away. It has become the repetitive nature of England batting and it has become concerning," said Hussain on Sky Sports.
“I think with the batting approach England players need to look at their own games and try to improve. Whatever is your plan, whatever your coach or captain says, the best players, the greatest players like Ravichandran Ashwin, they try to improve, they try to get better,” he added.
Nassem Hussain namedropped Zak Crawley, Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes and stated that England batters need to reflect on their game by the end of the tour.
“Zak Crawley has batted better but has been out between 50-80 the sixth time, Jonny Bairstow trying to counterattack getting to twenty-thirty and getting out. Ben Stokes has not been able to read Kuldeep Yadav from the wrist, he has hardly contributed with the bat. The struggle is real with the bat, not the conditions,” Hussain said.
“Whatever coach, skipper or anyone suggests, the most important suggestion is for England batters to look upon themselves rather than listening to others. Enhance your own thought process on how to become a better cricketer. Hopefully, by the end of the tour, everyone will look at themselves and say, right, don't hide behind Bazball and the mentality and try and improve your own game,” he further remarked.
Coming to the match, India ended the opening day on 135/1, trailing England by just 83 runs with nine wickets in hand. The hosts lost Yashasvi Jaiswal for 57 while Rohit Sharma (52*) and Shubman Gill (26*) were unbeaten in the middle at the close of play.
