England’s refreshing approach to Test cricket has found an admirer in India’s head coach Rahul Dravid, who expects tough cricket in the remaining three matches between the sides.
Watch ARY News live on live.arynews.tv
Under captain Ben Stokes and head coach Brendon ‘Baz’ McCullum, England have played fearless cricket putting entertainment above outcome, which has endeared them to the fans.
Their ‘Bazball’ approach faces its toughest challenge in India, who have not lost a test series on home soil since 2012.
England won the series opener in Hyderabad playing the same brand of cricket and did not abandon it even in their defeat in the second test in Visakhapatnam on Monday.
Former India captain Dravid appreciated England’s approach, built around swashbuckling batting, to a format he held close to his heart.
“I’m not sure how happy they are about the term, but they are playing really good cricket, let’s be honest about it,” Rahul Dravid said after India levelled the five-match series in Visakhapatnam. “It’s not wild slogging, they are actually showing some very good skills.
“Some of the shots they are playing require a lot of skills and ability. You can’t just come and execute those things.”
Rahul Dravid said England’s approach was not one-dimensional.
“There’s more to it than just attacking cricket. I have seen at times they know when to pull back, when to attack. They have been playing differently, there’s no doubt about it,” he added.
