The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President and former India fast bowler, Roger Binny has launched a scathing critique of England captain Ben Stokes' over-aggressive captaincy strategy, highlighting how it has been comprehensively outplayed by Rohit Sharma's strategic acumen and patience in the current series.
"Well, the captaincy of Ben Stokes so far he has been more aggressive, and I think that has been the (reason for their) downfall in the few Test matches," Binny told PTI Video.
India in cruise control in Dharamsala
With India firmly leading the five-Test series with a 3-1 advantage, Binny's comments come as England faces the prospect of a 4-1 series defeat following their dismissal for a mere 218 on the first day of the final Test. In contrast, India closed the day in a strong position at 135/1.
Binny, who represented India in 27 Tests and 72 ODIs from 1979 to 1987, criticized the English batters' risky approach against India's formidable spinners, suggesting their tactics of gambling everything on aggressive plays have backfired spectacularly.
"Being so aggressive and trying to take on the Indian spinners in difficult times (situations) rather than hanging around and trying to make a big score," said Binny.
Binny lauds Rohit Sharma's leadership
The 68-year-old cricket veteran praised Rohit Sharma for his tactical intelligence, noting his ability to bide time and seize on the opposition's weaknesses as a key factor in India's dominant performance.
"Rohit Sharma again has been very tactful. You know he knew exactly what he wanted to do and he got his bowlers to do that," said Binny.
"I don't think England changed their strategy. They went on the same attacking mode like what they did in the first Test match. But, I think, Rohit was more patient because he had the first Test in his pocket at one stage and then he let it go. He was patient enough in the next two Tests and won both," he added.
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