Veteran Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin recently shared his thoughts on England’s ‘Bazball’ approach, dismissing it as mere marketing jargon. Ashwin pointed out the missed opportunities England faced during their recent series in India, despite their aggressive playing style.
The concept of ‘Bazball’ has been championed by former and current English cricketers, including Ben Stokes, who advocate for an assertive brand of cricket aimed at reviving Test cricket. While England managed to secure a victory in the first Test against India under Ben Stokes’ leadership, they faltered in the subsequent matches, losing the series 4-1.
Acknowledging England’s competitive spirit, Ashwin criticized the portrayal of their approach as a saviour of Test cricket. He stressed the importance of adapting strategies throughout a series and capitalizing on advantageous situations.
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In a discussion on The Club Prairie podcast, Ravichandran Ashwin remarked, “You can play any brand of cricket; you can have your game plan. You can do whatever you want. There is the freedom to do it. If a group of people like 11 cricketers together want to embrace the same pattern of play, I personally think that’s a huge risk you’re taking, especially in a long series.”
He further added, “I actually think the marketing of them reviving Test cricket and saving it was a bit funny. I think it’s a marketing jargon. Personally, if you ask me, they played some wonderful, wonderful cricket. The scoreline might reflect 4-1, but I thought they played some wonderful cricket. When you have the opposition on the mat, you better keep them down. We did find ourselves on the mat many times, but I just think they didn’t put the nail very deep into the coffin at those stages.”
Ashwin’s exceptional performance during the series, where he emerged as the top wicket-taker with 26 wickets, reaffirmed his prowess in Test cricket. His achievements, including surpassing 500 Test wickets and marking his 100th Test appearance, highlighted his significance in the Indian cricket landscape.
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Currently representing the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, Ashwin showcased his batting skills in a recent match against the Delhi Capitals, scoring 29 runs off 19 deliveries. Fans eagerly anticipate his upcoming performance in the match against the Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium on Monday, April 1.
