England’s “Bazball” experiment suffered a resounding setback in the fifth Test against India in Dharamsala, as the hosts secured a comprehensive victory within three days. The defeat marked England’s first series loss under the leadership of Ben Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum, who have championed an aggressive and attacking style of play.
Jonny Bairstow, who played his 100th Test for England in Dharamsala, was at the center of a viral moment during the match. As the crowd chanted “Bazball gets battered everywhere they go,” Bairstow was caught on camera responding with a wry smile and a few words of his own.
Bairstow’s reaction reflected the frustration of the England team, who were outplayed by India in all departments. The hosts dominated with both bat and ball, posting a mammoth first-innings total of 416 and then dismissing England for just 168. India enforced the follow-on and completed a crushing victory by an innings and 64 runs.
Despite the disappointing result, Stokes remained defiant in his post-match comments. He acknowledged India’s superiority but warned critics against writing off England. “I don’t give too much away as the series is going on, but I’m always man enough to say we got beaten by the better team,” Stokes said. “I have done a lot of India tours now. I am obviously disappointed with my performance for the team, but write this team off, write me off at your own peril.”
Stokes’s comments suggest that England will use this setback as motivation to improve. The team has shown glimpses of their potential under Stokes and McCullum, but they will need to find a way to sustain their aggressive approach while also being more disciplined.
The defeat in Dharamsala also raises questions about the long-term viability of “Bazball.” While the attacking style has brought some thrilling victories, it has also led to some heavy defeats. England will need to find a balance between aggression and pragmatism if they want to be successful in all conditions.
