Ben Stokes‘ difficulties against left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav in the current Test series against India have been addressed by former England captain Nasser Hussain. Hussain noted that Ben Stokes has frequently failed to pick Kuldeep. England’s batting collapse continued on the first day of the fifth and final Test match at Dharamsala, as the tourists were bowled out for a miserable 218 in the first innings against India.
England had a terrible post-lunch session where they lost wickets in a hurry, despite having started strongly in the morning, while India’s spinners, Kuldeep Yadav and R Ashwin, were outstanding. On the first day of the fifth and final Test at Dharamsala, Ben Stokes was dismissed by Kuldeep for the second time after he played back a delivery. After Kuldeep struck a fifer, the tourists collapsed to 218 all out from 175-3, a staggering batting collapse.
Not picking Kuldeep Yadav – Nasser Hussain on Ben Stokes’ struggles against Kuldeep
Former captain Nasser Hussain seemed disappointed with the batting performance, with players like Ollie Pope (11), Joe Root (26), Jonny Bairstow (29) and Ben Foakes (24) failing to build on their starts and captain Ben Stokes (0) failing yet again.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Ben Stokes praised Zak Crawley’s improved consistency but emphasized the necessity for him to turn his starts into significant scoring opportunities. Commenting on Stokes’ problems, the former cricket player turned commentator said:
“Zak Crawley has got better, he’s got more consistent. But he keeps getting out between the 50s and 70s. It’s the sixth time in Test cricket he’s got out at 70s. That middle-order – Jonny Bairstow trying to counter-attack and counterpunch, getting to 20 and 30 and getting out. Ben Stokes has had a difficult tour with the bat, not picking Kuldeep Yadav, going back to him, and getting trapped on the crease,”
Don’t hide behind ‘Bazball’- Nasser Hussain
Hussain highlighted that England lost out on another chance to build on their good start, saying that the team is unable to support their extremely aggressive ‘Bazball’ style of play. Hussain believes that rather than hiding behind the “Bazball” mindset, England’s batsmen should reflect on their batting performance. He explained:
“Ben Foakes is again stuck with the tail. So whatever coach and captain you play under, the most important head in the voice is not the captain or coach. It’s your own thought process and how do I become a better cricketer. Hopefully, at the end of this tour, everyone will look at themselves and be like ‘Right, don’t hide behind ‘Bazball’ mentality. Try and improve your own game,”
England won the toss and got off to a blazing start, with Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley combining for 68 runs. The tourists lost six wickets for 94 runs in the next session, when they stood at 100-2 for lunch.
It’s an individual task to look at their own game – Nasser Hussain
Hussain said that because Kuldeep Yadav and Ravichandran Ashwin are always trying to get better, England cricket players should take an inspiration from them.
He stated:
“I think with the batting, it’s an individual task to look at their own game, try and work out how to improve. Wherever you are playing, whatever the coach or captain is, the best and greatest players – you look at Ravi Ashwin, who is playing in his 100th Test – always looking to improve himself. You look at Kuldeep Yadav, who has had a magnificent day again,”
On Day 1, India scored 135-1 after Shoaib Bashir dismissed Yashasvi Jaiswal for 57. On Day 2, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill will bat initially in an effort to establish a commanding lead.