Huge blow for ‘Bazball’ as India set to prepare pitches that can offer VICIOUS turn for Test series

India's spinning tracks have been tough for almost all visiting sides since 2021.

Huge blow for ‘Bazball’ as India set to prepare pitches that can offer VICIOUS turn for Test series

Ollie Pope departs after being dismissed by R. Ashwin (Image via ESPN)

The term “Bazball” was formed in 2022 after Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes created a new, fearless style of Test cricket. The batters were allowed to play their shots without the fear of losing their wickets, which saw many batters attacking from the first ball. So far they have played Bazball at home, New Zealand and Pakistan. Now they will travel to India, where it’ll face its toughest challenge. 

According to several reports, the BCCI has once again decided to make turning pitches. Since the England tour of India in 2021, India have become a more difficult place to bat with pitches supporting spinners from day 1. Even pacers have had a good time, with reverse-swing being as early as the ball turned 20-overs old. 

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The spin trio of R. Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel have terrorized batting attacks for years, with India losing only two games since 2021. The last time England had played in India, all of their batters failed to counter India’s spin trio, with matches finishing in 3 days. Now with the Bazball ideology adopted, will they be able to pass their biggest test since the 2022 Ashes? 

Ollie Pope won’t complain if ball spins from ball one 

Ollie Pope’s first tour of India was in 2021, where his side received some of the toughest pitches to bat on. In the 8 innings he batted, he managed only 153 runs with an average of 19.13. His highest score was also 34, where the series had its flattest pitch. 

Ollie Pope
Ollie Pope is bowled by R. Ashwin (Image via ESPN)

Now 3 years later, he is the vice-captain of England and one of their key batters. Ahead of the India tour, Pope said they will not complain about the pitch conditions anymore, adding that even India would be playing on the same pitch. He even referenced how England made pitches to support their seamers, so it was fine if India did it. 

In England, we might leave more grass on the pitch to suit our amazing seamers, so it’s no surprise if India do the same to suit their spinners. I saw a fair bit of South Africa versus India and it was great: guys scoring seriously tough runs and the ball flying through. The scores could be similar in India but if the pitches spin from ball one we won’t be complaining. It’s about finding a method to combat it.
Ollie Pope told The Guardian

The Test series begins on 25th January with the first Test being played in the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad. England have gone into the series with just two spinners who have played Test cricket previously. Meanwhile, India have picked their reliable spin trio of Ashwin, Jadeja and Patel. 

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