‘It almost feels like we should take some credit’ – Ben Duckett dubs Yashasvi Jaiswal’s knock to be inspired by Bazball

In the wake of Yashasvi Jaiswal’s dynamic performance on Saturday, English cricketer Ben Duckett has lauded the Indian batter’s aggressive approach. Duckett boldly asserted that England’s innovative cricketing philosophy, dubbed ‘Bazball,’ advocates for a more attacking style of play. He credited the strategy to the collaboration between Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, which began approximately two years ago.

According to Duckett, McCullum’s influence as Test coach has been pivotal in shaping England’s approach. He suggested that Jaiswal and other players globally have been inspired to embrace a more assertive playing style thanks to England’s ‘Bazball’ tactics.

“When you see players from the opposition playing like that, it almost feels like we should take some credit that they’re playing differently than how other people play Test cricket. We saw it a bit in the summer and it’s quite exciting to see other players and other teams are also playing that aggressive style of cricket,” said Duckett as quoted by Hindustan Times.

England’s adoption of aggressive tactics has indeed transformed their gameplay, yet attributing the global trend to their influence may be overstated. Notably, legendary Indian batter Virender Sehwag epitomised aggression in Test cricket long before England’s ‘Bazball’ era. Sehwag’s fearless strokeplay earned him acclaim as one of the format’s pioneers. While England’s approach is commendable, Sehwag’s legacy highlights the longstanding tradition of aggressive batting in cricket.

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Jaiswal runs over English bowlers in Rajkot

India’s promising opener, Jaiswal, ignited the Rajkot Test against England with a blazing batting spectacle on Day 3. Commencing with a measured pace, he accelerated as he approached his half-century, achieving the milestone in 80 deliveries. Surging forward, he needed a mere 42 more balls to notch his century. His dynamic innings fortified India’s position, commanding a substantial 322-run advantage over the English side by the end of the day’s play.

Renowned for his natural aggression, the southpaw has frequently exhibited his attacking flair in his brief Test tenure. In his second Test outing, he showcased a striking 77-run strike rate while crafting a pivotal 57 against West Indies. Earlier this year, in a challenging encounter at Cape Town, the 22-year-old contributed a fiery cameo of 28 runs off 25 balls, setting India on a swift path in their run-chase.

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