The Three Lions are currently on their tour of India for a limited overs series (3 ODIs and 5 T 20s) but so far it has been a disappointing tour for them. Jos Buttler and his men have already been thumped by team India by 4-1 in the T20 series and they have already lost the first ODI against India by 4 wickets.
Team England have so far played 12 ODIs since the 2023 world Cup but so far have got victories on only 4 occasions. They have been beaten by the West Indies twice prior to this series and lost to Australia on one occasion.
In the first ODI it felt that the England team had finally arrived as they started the match all guns blazing, the dazzling duo of Phil Salt and Ben Duckett added 75 runs in just 8.4 overs for the opening wicket. However like most of the matches on the tour England could not carry on with the same tempo and were bowled out for a modest 248.
England tries to play aggressive cricket “Bazball ” but has failed miserably as they are not able to put scores on the board in the best batting friendly conditions as well.
Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra felt that in the name of agressive brand of cricket England has not been able to utilise the batting friendly wickets to their fullest potential.
Elaborating about the same Aakash Chopra wrote, “By the way, how poor is English batting. Last three tours. Across three formats. Got bowled out 19 out of 25 innings that they’ve batted. And were 9-down in the remaining 6 innings. On good batting surfaces. I don’t know about Bazball…the fact is that they haven’t been able to spot the ball much lately.”
By the way, how poor is English batting. Last three tours. Across three formats. Got bowled out 19 out of 25 innings that they’ve batted. And were 9-down in the remaining 6 innings. On good batting surfaces.
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) February 6, 2025
I don’t know about Bazball…the fact is that they haven’t been able to…
After losing the first ODI England skipper Jos Buttler admitted that they were not able to bat Sensibly because of which they were nearly 50 runs short of what could have been a good competitive score for India to chase.
“Disappointed not to win the game. We got off to a fantastic start in the powerplay, but we lost wickets. Another 40-50 runs could have been handy with the way the wicket played towards the end…We have to play better for longer,” Buttler said.
England will be playing 2 more ODIs one in Cuttack (February 9) and other in Ahemdabad (February 12) before they start their campaign in the ICC champions trophy which starts from February 19.
