Michael Vaughan reprimanded India captain Rohit Sharma for being too passive during the first Test match between the two countries at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.
Referring to Rohit’s leadership style as “average,” Vaughan said that the Indian captain was clueless about Ollie Pope’s risky sweeps and reverse sweeps.
England claimed a 1-0 series lead on Saturday, January 28, owing to 196 runs scored by Ollie Pope, as they defeated the hosts by 28 runs. While Pope’s eventual downfall came due to his botched attempt at a reverse-scoop off Jasprit Bumrah, he had already done a lot of damage before to that.
“Rohit Sharma’s leadership was appropriate, in my view. He seemed to be more reactive than proactive in his field management and bowling adjustments. Ollie Pope’s sweeps and reversal sweeps were described by Vaughan as unsolved questions in his editorial for The Telegraph.
According to Vaughan, India could have changed their approach when English hitters like Pope were choking their bowlers
The veteran believes that Rohit should have pushed the English batters to try for the kill by using more attacking fields.
Shane Warne, the greatest spinner I’ve ever seen, would surely tell the player to try his luck with the leg side sweep. None of it seemed to be coming from India.
It wasn’t complicated at all. As long as England keeps playing the way they are, they will score goals. His explanation was that by extending the field, Sharma was effectively allowing his best deliveries from the bowlers to go for one run.
Meanwhile, Pope was voted the match’s most valuable player after England beat India in their first Test match in Hyderabad.
Ben Foakes and Pope put up 112 runs as a sixth-wicket stand after England’s second innings fell to 163 for 5. England gave India 231 runs to win after losing Pope, their penultimate wicket. The Three Lions achieved an unprecedented feat by dismissing India for 202 runs in only 69.2 overs.
The most exhilarating experience of my life was winning a Test match against the Indian team. A few of England away wins over the years have been really spectacular. Vaughan believes that England’s actions in Hyderabad were the finest decision they ever made.
After taking a lead of over 100 runs in the first innings of a Test match, India has never lost as a team. In 2015, it happened in the Galle Test, and in 2022, it happened at Edgbaston.
No one would dare attack India from inside their own borders. Think about all the countries that England has managed to crush. India is one of the greatest Test teams of all time when they play at home. It was a genuine change of fortune. Plus, after the first innings, England was down by 190 runs. Surprisingly, India had never lost a home Test after surrendering such a lead, but England had somehow pulled it done. “In all my time involved in English cricket, this is the best win – at home or away,” stated Vaughan.
