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The excitement among fans is palpable as India gears up for the much-anticipated five-match Test series against England, set to kick off from January 25 in Hyderabad. While cricket enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting the clash between the two cricketing giants, the discussions have taken an interesting turn with India’s pace sensation, Jasprit Bumrah, sharing his candid thoughts on England’s distinctive ‘Bazball‘ style of play.
Unpacking ‘Bazball’: England’s bold Test cricket approach
In recent years, England’s Test cricket team has undergone a remarkable transformation in its approach, a shift catalyzed by none other than Brendon McCullum, who assumed the role of head coach for the English team in the Test format. This change gained further momentum, with Ben Stokes taking over as the Test captain of the English team and bringing an aggressive and dynamic style of play to the traditional format.
‘Bazball,’ a term coined to describe England’s bold and attacking brand of Test cricket, has been a point of fascination and discussion among cricket enthusiasts worldwide. As England now arrives in India after a successful campaign employing their ‘Bazball’ approach, all eyes are on whether this aggressive style will yield the desired results against the formidable Indian team on their home turf.
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Jasprit Bumrah’s blunt verdict on ‘bazball’
Renowned for his fiery spells and unplayable deliveries, India’s Bumrah didn’t hold back in expressing his views on England’s ‘Bazball’ style in a recent interaction with The Guardian. Embodying his trademark forthrightness, the Indian pace spearhead shared his perspective on whether the Bazball approach could challenge India in their own conditions.
The Ahmedabad-born fast bowler, undeterred by the aggressive playstyle, revealed that he sees it as an opportunity rather than a challenge. Bumrah said that the Bazball approach keeps him in the game, presenting him with the chance to claim more wickets. He acknowledged England’s success with their attacking style but emphasized how, as a bowler, he strategizes to use their approach to his advantage.
“I don’t really relate to the term Bazball. But they are playing successful cricket and the aggressive route of taking the opposition on, showing the world there’s another way to play Test cricket,” remarked Bumrah.
“As a bowler, what I think is that it keeps me in play. And if they’re going for it, playing so fast, they won’t tire me out, I could get heaps [of wickets]. I always think about how I can use things to my advantage. Kudos to them, but as a bowler, you’re in the game,” explained the 30-year-old cricketer.
An exciting battle on the horizon
Bumrah’s confident and pragmatic approach adds an intriguing dimension to the upcoming series, setting the stage for an exciting battle between India’s world-class bowling attack and England’s aggressive ‘Bazball’ style.
