India’s emphatic performance in the recent Kanpur Test against Bangladesh raised eyebrows, particularly for the blistering batting display by their top order. Former England captain Michael Vaughan took to social media to claim that India was playing a version of “Bazball,” a term coined for England’s aggressive Test cricket strategy under coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes. Vaughan’s comment reignited a long-standing debate about cricket’s evolving approach and who truly pioneered this aggressive style.
India’s Fiery Start in Kanpur
India’s batters were ruthless from the outset in their second innings against Bangladesh. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma launched an all-out assault on Bangladesh’s bowlers. Jaiswal hit three boundaries in the opening over, followed by Sharma smashing two consecutive sixes in the next. This brutal hitting saw India post the fastest team fifty in the history of Test cricket, reaching the milestone in just three overs. They followed this up by breaking records for the fastest team hundred, hundred and fifty, and two hundred.
India’s dominance wasn’t limited to just batting; their bowlers, led by Jasprit Bumrah, bundled Bangladesh out for a mere 233 in their first innings. With the World Test Championship (WTC) Final on the horizon, India was desperate for a win to boost their chances of making it to the final.
Michael Vaughan’s Bazball Remark
After witnessing India’s aggressive approach, Vaughan tweeted, “I see India are playing Bazball,” comparing their performance to England’s recent shift towards an attacking style of Test cricket. However, his remark didn’t go down well with many fans, who immediately pointed out that India’s aggressive cricket predates Bazball.
The Origins of Aggressive Cricket
Fans were quick to remind Vaughan that Indian cricket legends like Virender Sehwag and Rishabh Pant have long exhibited a naturally aggressive style, often referred to as “ViruBall” or “PantBall.” This ultra-aggressive brand of cricket was visible long before England’s adoption of Bazball under McCullum and Stokes. Sehwag’s explosive starts and Pant’s game-changing innings have both been prime examples of how India embraced aggressive cricket much earlier.
One fan tweeted, “BazBall is a copycat product of ViruBall and PantBall,” while another suggested that the term should now be updated to “JaisBall,” in honor of Yashasvi Jaiswal’s heroics. Some even claimed that India’s current version of aggressive cricket was superior, especially considering England’s struggles to consistently win using Bazball.
India’s Unique Style of Play
India’s ability to dominate Bangladesh in Kanpur reflects their versatility and adaptability in modern cricket. While Vaughan’s comparison with Bazball might have sparked debate, India’s aggressive mindset has been a part of their cricketing DNA for decades. With players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul capable of shifting gears rapidly, India doesn’t rely on any one formula to succeed.
Moreover, India’s bowling attack, spearheaded by Bumrah, complements their aggressive batting. Their success in bowling Bangladesh out quickly was critical in creating the opportunity for their batters to adopt this ultra-attacking approach in the second innings. This balance between bat and ball is what sets India apart and enables them to consistently challenge top teams.
The Road Ahead
As India continues their march toward the WTC Final, their aggressive approach might well become a hallmark of their style in future series. While England’s Bazball has undoubtedly revolutionized the way Test cricket is played, India’s long-standing tradition of attacking cricket ensures they aren’t simply following a trend but are innovating in their own right. Vaughan’s remarks have brought the spotlight onto India’s playing style, but it’s clear that India has mastered an aggressive brand of cricket well before Bazball became a phenomenon.
Ultimately, this episode highlights the global shift in how Test cricket is played, with teams no longer content to grind out slow, drawn-out games. Instead, aggressive, fast-paced cricket is now the name of the game, and India, with its rich cricketing history, seems well-equipped to lead this charge.