Former India captain Kapil Dev has advised current Team India captain Rohit Sharma to be more aggressive in his game. Applauding England’s Bazball approach, the veteran said that not only India, but all teams must have a similar approach to the game in Test cricket as well. However, England’s ultra-aggressive approach came under fire during the first half of Ashes 2023 as they lost the first two Tests but they made a commendable return to level the five-match series 2-2 as well.
In an interview with The Times of India, Kapil Dev said: “Bazball is wonderful. The series between England and Australia was one of the finest series I have seen in recent times. I think cricket should be played like that. Rohit is good. But he must be more aggressive. You have to think about how teams like England play now. And it’s not just us. All cricket-playing countries have to think on those lines. Winning the game should be the highest priority (not play for draws) for all teams.”
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However, after losing the first two Tests, England bounced back and clinched the third Test in Leeds by three wickets. The fourth Test match in Manchester ended in a draw due to rain but England dominated quite well. And, they completed a successful comeback in Ashes 2023 by winning the final Test at The Oval by 49 runs as well.
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“They need to come in the top four (semi-finals) first. After that, anything is possible. You need a stroke of luck from the semi-final stage onwards and need things to go your way. But the most important thing is to reach the top four. Injuries are part and parcel of any player’s life. But I feel they (Indian team) are playing too much cricket. The fixtures committee should seriously look at how much cricket they want to give the team and its players,” Kapil Dev concluded.
