On February 23, India took on England at the JSCA International Stadium in Ranchi in the fourth Test of their five-match series. The hosts came into the match as favourites, along with a 2-1 lead in the series.
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Here, England chose to bat first, eventually posting 353 thanks to a magnificent knock of 122* from Joe Root. India then replied with 307, as Dhruv Jurel scored a gritty 90 to rescue the hosts from 177/7.
England were then bowled out for 145, R Ashwin and Kuldeep Yadav taking 9 wickets between them, setting India 192 to win. After an 84-run opening stand, India slipped to 120/5, before an unbroken 72-run stand between Shubman Gill (52*) and Jurel (39*) took them over the line.
England legend slams Joe Root for Bazball bullishness
The win meant India not only won the fourth Test in Ranchi, but took an unassailable 3-1 lead in the series, going into the fifth Test in Dharamsala. The loss also left England languishing second from bottom in the World Test Championship 2023-25 table.
Writing for the Telegraph, former England cricketer Geoffrey Boycott claimed that an air of 'arrogance' around the English was what led to their downfall in the series. He said,
I don’t feel angry, just sad because at times they produce so much thrilling stuff. They just need to temper it. Look at Joe Root. When he played like the old Joe [in the first innings in Ranchi], he didn’t look like getting out and scored a wonderful hundred.
But then when he was asked, he said he would play the reverse ramp shot again. That is what I mean about arrogance. He has just played one of the loveliest hundreds you will see so why talk up ramping again? It is because you want to be seen as a smart alec.
Boycott further explained that his frustration stemmed from the English batters often giving their wickets away by trying 'without fear', as has been the underlying principle behind their 'Bazball' style implemented since 2022. Root himself came under heavy criticism after he was dismissed trying to reverse scoop Jasprit Bumrah in the third Test in Rajkot.
England's senior players in the middle-order have been underwhelming in this series. Root, Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes have all averaged 30 or under with the bat, meaning their bowling attack, including inexperienced spinners Tom Hartley and Shoaib Bashir, has often been left with fewer runs than required to play with.
"I know they all have to buy into the Bazball mantra because that is all they talk about," Boycott added.
"To play with no fear is good, but at times England were reckless and too cocky about how they were going to smack everybody around. Getting out is part of the game but getting yourself out is silly.
"They need to cut out the braggadocio and start beating the big teams. It is alright duffing up the lesser ones but England will be judged on whether they beat Australia (in 2023 Ashes series) and India and our batsmen have blown it both times so far."
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