Former England spinner Graeme Swann has lauded the Indian batters for their exceptional performance in the fifth Test match in Dharamsala, drawing comparisons to England’s aggressive approach under Ben Stokes.
On Day 2, Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma struck centuries, laying the foundation for Sarfaraz Khan and Devdutt Padikkal to further torment the visitors. Swann remarked that India had adopted their own version of “Bazball,” England’s attacking batting style, and had executed it brilliantly throughout the series.
“India have come out and are playing England at their own ‘Bazball’ game – and they’re doing very, very well,” Swann said during commentary.
Ravichandran Ashwin, in his landmark 100th Test, claimed a five-wicket haul as India crushed England by an innings and 64 runs, sealing the series 4-1.
England’s James Anderson became the third bowler to reach 700 Test wickets, but the tourists were outplayed from the start. Ashwin’s off-spin proved devastating, dismissing England’s top and middle order as they collapsed to 195 all out.
After the match, Ashwin expressed his delight with his performance. “Win the Test and take wickets, what more can a bowler ask for?” he said.
India’s dominance in the series was a testament to their superior batting and bowling. Gill, Sharma, and Khan all scored centuries, while Ashwin and Mohammed Shami led the bowling attack with 18 and 16 wickets respectively.
England’s aggressive approach, dubbed “Bazball,” had been successful in their recent victories, but India proved that they could match and even surpass their opponents’ attacking style.
