Former Indian cricketer Wasim Jaffer has criticized India’s aggressive approach in the first innings of the third Test against Australia, stating that they failed to respect the conditions and situation.
The term “Bazball” has been given to England’s approach in the longest format of the game, which involves playing with aggression. However, Jaffer believes that India would have been better off playing with patience in the initial stages of the game, rather than reacting aggressively.
India’s aggressive approach in the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia resulted in a catastrophic failure, with the hosts being bowled out for 109 in their first innings. Wasim Jaffer, a former Indian cricketer, suggested that the team’s overly aggressive tactics cost them dearly, urging them to show more patience and respect for the conditions. Meanwhile, England’s assertive style of play in the longest format of the game, which has been dubbed “Bazball,” has caught the attention of many.
The hosts were bowled out for just 109 runs after winning the toss and electing to bat first, with the Australian spinners proving too difficult for India’s batters. While Ravindra Jadeja took four wickets, he also bowled a no-ball, while R Ashwin and Axar Patel struggled to make an impact. Usman Khawaja proved the hero for Australia, scoring 60 runs and adding a crucial 96-run partnership with Marnus Labuschagne (31).
However, the Australian dominance didn’t stop there. Former Australian cricketer Ian Chappell criticized Indian batters Cheteshwar Pujara and Shreyas Iyer, stating that they have struggled against spin bowlers. According to Chappell, Pujara has been found wanting against the Australian spinners, while Iyer is not a good player of spin bowling. Chappell believes the pitch caused unsettlement for the Indian team in the first hour of the day, and the visitors took advantage of their disadvantage.