India's iconic World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev has voiced his admiration for the aggressive brand of Test cricket played by England, the now-popular 'Bazball' approach. Reflecting on the recent riveting Ashes series, Kapil expressed his enthusiasm for this style, pointing to England's valiant comeback from a 0-2 deficit to level the series 2-2.
Kapil wants Rohit to be more aggressive
While England showcased their mettle and resilience, India missed a chance to secure a victory against West Indies due to rain disruptions during the second Test in Port of Spain. Highlighting the captivating dynamics of the Ashes, Kapil Dev said to The Times of India, "Bazball is wonderful. The series between England and Australia was one of the finest series I have seen in recent times. I think cricket should be played like that. Rohit is good. But he must be more aggressive."
The cricket legend emphasized the need for teams worldwide to imbibe this assertive approach, focusing on winning rather than settling for draws. "You have to think about how teams like England play now. Winning the game should be the highest priority for all teams," he commented.
The Ashes series provided ample evidence of England's fierce adoption of the 'Bazball' strategy. The philosophy, which emphasizes seizing every run-scoring chance and maintaining pressure on the opposition, was evident throughout their gameplay. One notable example was the fourth Test at Old Trafford. England opener Zak Crawley's spectacular 189 runs off a mere 182 deliveries, punctuated with 21 fours and three sixes, embodied the aggressive mindset. Joe Root further showcased this approach with his brisk 84 off 95 balls, signaling his unwavering commitment.
England's commitment to 'Bazball' wasn't limited to batsmen. Jonny Bairstow's remarkable innings of 99 not out from just 81 deliveries and his continuous onslaught against Australia's bowlers further epitomized the aggressive play.
The bowlers weren't left behind either. Chris Woakes and Mark Wood turned the tide for England, with Woakes bagging five wickets in the pivotal Old Trafford Test, and Wood's exceptional speed proving too much for the Australian batsmen. Kapil Dev's call for a more assertive playstyle underscores the evolution of Test cricket, with 'Bazball' being a prominent advocate of this shift.
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