Cricket is a mind game requiring right decisions to be be made when the opportunity knocks the door. The first big decision is made with winning the flip of a coin. In T20, the decision on winning the toss is pretty straight forward which is to field first and bat second irrespective of weather or pitch conditions. The test cricket is a completely different ball game requiring different versions of plan and strategies prepared. This is done based on weather, pitch conditions and many other factors. The plans and strategies are reviewed every day to prepare the mental part of the players and accordingly execute on the field.
At Edgbaston, England put India to bat first on winning the toss. I was at the venue on day 1 and thought that England is playing a defensive strategy. It was not an overcast condition though there were rains on the cards. The home team usually in these conditions would want to bat first and pile up runs to put the opponents under pressure. I got convinced that England is playing defensive after few overs when the entire cricket world got to know there are no demons in the pitch. Little I knew that England wanted to play the Bazball style of cricket until Root's post match interview. Stokes made the decision to bat second even before the toss as they would want to chase a target. It is greatly evident that Brendon McCullum and Stokes are brewing a different style of cricket which is showing instant results this summer. The thought process of England team is completely different to traditional way they approached before. Play bold is the message from the new captain with full support from his coach.
Jonny Bairstow used his free licence to play a swagger style of Cricket inspired by Bazball approach. As a fan of Cricket, it is hard to understand the thought process of Bairstow on the field. Firing back to back centuries and counter attacking at will really mesmerised the cricketing world. Probably the first time in English conditions, bowlers were under tremendous pressure as they couldn't decode the counter attack. Root planted himself tight on the 22 yard strip and played a magnificent innings. The revived England team is bringing fresh air to the test cricket affirming their plan and strategies are well thought out and practical. The match and a win was snatched from India in less than two hours when the English openers played a T20 cameo in their second innings chasing a big target. The courage and good mental space in the dressing room was showcased by the openers. The coach's IPL observations of players was used to the benefit of execution and fair exploitation. Overall England played brilliantly and deserved to win for their execution is the last one and half days powered by the bazball strategy.
Team India under the stand by captain Bumrah delivered several spells of lethal world class bowling. Team India selection seem to have a pattern of reading too much of the past successes and make their choices of team selection by picking the same players. As a fan, I can't believe they can drop out Ravi Ashwin unless they are playing in a cracked pitch somewhere in Barbados. Ashwin would have at least instilled some intimidation being a senior player with lot experience. In the hindsight, Ashwin might have calmed down the counter attack with his varieties and used the rough on fourth and fifth day. It was a missed opportunity. For England players, IPL came as handy to deploy bazball style and for Team India it impacted as the top order didn't have the patience and temperament to play a Test innings. The approach by the batters was very defensive. If Team India want to make a bigger presence in the test cricket, it is high time they groom a red ball team. Except for Pujara and Vihari, all other players are in all three formats. The number of T20s they play are insane and it will naturally have an impact on the players as it is difficult to change hats to perform for different requirements in a short period of time.
Bazball is definitely working for England and it has helped them to break the barriers. The bazball is also offering very good entertainment for the crowd and it is turning out into a football match atmosphere. It is intriguing to know if bazball will be the approach against South Africa.