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After a dominant batting display by Indian batters on Day 1 of the first Test match at Headingley, former English opener and commentator Michael Vaughan expressed his frustration with the England side. He criticised the poor decision to invite India to bat first, calling it a major tactical error. The visiting side absolutely hammered the English bowling on Day 1, putting 359 runs on the board.
Michael Vaughan reflects on his frustration over toss blunder
Speaking on the BBC Test match special, Vaughan, who knows Headingley well from his playing days, said he was shocked by England’s decision on Day 1. He questioned Ben Stokes’ choice to bowl first after winning the toss and felt it was a clear mistake. Vaughan said the team should have looked at the conditions on the day instead of following what worked in the past. According to him, decisions should be made based on the present, not on old habits. Stokes’ decision to bowl first was widely criticised across the English cricket circles.
“I was staggered when he said he was going to bowl. Traditions are out the window. You have to pick your decisions on that moment, and not things that you did here years ago,” the ex-English cricketer stated.
Vaughan, an old-school traditionalist when it comes to playing at Leeds, believes that when the sun is shining and the weather is dry, the right decision is always to bat first.
“I am an old-school traditionalist here at Leeds that when the sun is shining, with dry weather, you bat,” he added further.
India eyes a huge total after run fest on Day 1
Batting first, the Indian side delivered a record-breaking run-fest on Day 1 of the first Test. After a brilliant opening stand, twin centurions Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill stitched together a 129-run partnership in just 163 deliveries. Later, Rishabh Pant joined the party with a staggering unbeaten knock of 65 runs. He too stitched a crucial 138-run partnership with Gill that lasted till the end of the day, keeping the crowd thoroughly entertained. With both Gill and Pant looking settled at the crease, the visitors are now eyeing a massive first-innings total.
