Michael Vaughan has urged Ben Stokes and the England team to adopt a more strategic batting approach in the remaining three Tests against India. Michael Vaughan specifically highlighted the need for Joe Root to temper his aggressive style and play with more discretion, suggesting that he doesn’t need to adopt the high-risk “Bazball” approach.
Joe Root’s dismissal, attempting an aggressive shot early in his innings during the chase of 399 in Vishakhapatnam, has faced criticism. Root came down the track aiming to clear the mid-wicket boundary but ended up edging the ball to backward point. At that crucial juncture, England still required 245 runs to win, ultimately falling short by 106 runs.
England is in the fifth gear from ball one- Michael Vaughan
In his column for The Telegraph, the 48-year-old emphasized that Joe Root, who has amassed 10,000 runs, needs to display a smarter approach in his batting. He highlighted the importance of Root’s experience and urged him to make calculated decisions while at the crease. Vaughan said,
“The batsmen look like they only have one way to play. They are in fifth gear from ball one. I don’t mind some of them playing like that because they are better for it. But Joe Root should forget it. He has 10,000 Test runs playing like Joe Root. He doesn’t need to be a Bazballer.”
Joe Root, the Yorkshire batter, is yet to make a significant impact in the series, having recorded two single-figure scores in four innings. Jasprit Bumrah, the Indian pace spearhead, has been particularly challenging for him, dismissing him eight times in Test matches.
Please just be yourself– Michael Vaughan’s advice to Joe Root
Vaughan emphasized that Root’s proficiency against spin makes him invaluable for England, highlighting the need for him to place significant importance on preserving his wicket if England is to overcome India. He added,
It is time for someone in the management to put an arm around Joe and say, ‘Please just be yourself.” This is particularly important against spin. Along with Graham Gooch, Root is the best player of spin England has ever produced. To see him bat the way he did in the second innings, that’s not Root, and it’s not the way England are going to win in India, just gifting wickets away,”
England are presently on a break in Abu Dhabi and is scheduled to return in preparation for the third Test, set to commence on February 15 in Rajkot.