Former Australian cricketer Ian Chappell lauded England skipper Ben Stokes for his captaincy within the first two Tests of the five-match collection in opposition to India, saying that his aggressive strategy and perspective has given the staff success and loads of self-belief to children. Chappell mentioned that Stokes’ management has made certain that the five-match collection between each rivals is stage at 1-1 and nonetheless extensive open. Chappell mentioned that England’s nice perception in Stokes reveals on and off the sector each and lauded England’s strategy of constantly in search of wickets.

“Ben Stokes’ aggressive approach to captaincy may have failed to claim victory in a hard-fought second Test but the five-match series against India is still wide open at 1-1. Much of England’s success has been attributed to Bazball – the desire to score quickly and tactically rattle the opposition – but this is a misnomer. What Stokes has really done is set out to achieve victory from ball one by playing aggressive cricket in all aspects of the game,” mentioned Chappell whereas writing for ESPNCricinfo.

“Stokes has been extremely smart to adopt such an approach and his aggressive tactics have brought England great success in the win column. It’s an approach that England was extremely slow to adopt but Stokes has shown himself to be a strong-minded and smart leader,” he added.

He additionally mentioned that Stokes’ captaincy has given the staff perception that helps them produce one thing further to achieve some very important success on area, like a game-changing run-out by Stokes of Ravindra Jadeja, which shifted the sport in England’s favour and made India succumb to a 28-run loss.

“The England team has great belief in Stokes and it shows both on and off the field. The team takes wickets because they are continually looking for them, and this challenge is accepted by the bowlers. One of the great benefits of this strategy is that it enthuses the best players, and they are the ones most likely to affect the final result,” mentioned Chappell.

“The team also believe that Stokes’ aggression will help them claim the odd unexpected success. This belief is what generally leads to a team producing something extra that leads to a vital wicket. Stokes’ brilliance in the field helped him produce a run-out at a crucial time in Hyderabad – and it also helped increase team belief,” he added.

Chappell mentioned that Stokes’ perspective has instilled a self-belief in children like Tom Hartley, Rehan Ahmed and Shoaib Bashir profitable. The former cricketer additionally mentioned that Hartley’s 14 runs with the ball and essential 114 runs in 4 innings with the bat ought to make a restricted Jack Leach “redundant”.

“Stokes’ attitude has helped the younger players believe in themselves, and this is showing in their bowling performances. The success of young players Tom Hartley, Rehan Ahmed and Shoaib Bashir is no fluke; it epitomises the confidence instilled by Stokes’ approach,” mentioned Chappell.

“Hartley’s success with both bat and ball should make the limited Jack Leach redundant in the Test side. One of England’s weaknesses has been their spin department, but Stokes’ positive approach suddenly means that slow bowling has a number of candidates,” he added.

Chappell additionally identified that Ollie Pope’s success at quantity three and rise of Harry Brook within the middle-order has made England’s batting stronger and known as for England to choose up their strongest groups in future. He additionally criticised England for not at all times selecting up their greatest wicketkeeper and never valuing the choice of an additional pacer.

“The success of Ollie Pope at No. 3 and the ascent of Harry Brook as a vital middle-order player also means the batting is potentially much stronger. These marked improvements in talent should ensure that in the future England pick their strongest available team for the prevailing conditions. England has erred in the past by not picking their best wicketkeeper and by often shunning the value of extra pace. Injuries to fast bowlers aside, this should be a thing of the past,” he mentioned.

Chappell mentioned that England would profit if Stokes is ready to perform as a full-time all-rounder and likewise fields within the slips, the place he’s “one of the best”. The former cricketer additionally mentioned that England ought to utilise much less bouncers so as to add an “element of surprise”.

“It will help England enormously if Stokes is once again able to function as an allrounder, as his bowling is a distinct weapon. It would also help if he fielded in the slips, especially to the spinners, as he is one of the best in that position,” mentioned Chappell.

“The other area where England could improve is in their use of the bouncer. It’s often an overused ploy, and it must be remembered that the biggest advantage of the bouncer is the element of surprise,” he added.

Chappell additionally mentioned that Stokes ought to take a look at his batting as nicely and be extra proactive.

“One personal area Stokes could look at is his own batting. If he were more proactive at the start of each innings, it would improve his play. Stokes is a very good batter but he’s at his best when he’s looking to score,” mentioned Chappell.

Chappell identified that Indian skipper Rohit Sharma is a “good leader” and the return of KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja from accidents will increase the staff. But he additionally mentioned that the absence of star batter Virat Kohli as a consequence of private causes is a blow to the staff.

The former cricketer additionally urged Indian selectors to cease overestimating Shreyas Iyer’s batting and worth spinner Kuldeep Yadav.

“India is a strong side and they also have a good leader in Rohit Sharma. They will be greatly strengthened by Ravindra Jadeja’s and KL Rahul’s recovery from injury, but that Virat Kohli will not return for the rest of the series is a blow. Hopefully, the selectors will now stop overestimating Shreyas Iyer’s batting ability and learn to value Kuldeep Yadav’s wicket-taking capability more,” mentioned Chappell.

Chappell mentioned that the present England facet seems to be much better from the Joe Root-led facet which landed in India again in 2021 and was destroyed by Indian spinners.

“As the home side India should eventually win a tough series, but it has a real battle on their hands. England under the aggressive leadership of Stokes is a far cry from the poorly captained Joe Root team that capitulated against spin on their last tour of the country,” mentioned Chappell.

“This India versus England contest is shaping up as it should: a tough five-match encounter between two talented sides,” he concluded.

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