IND vs ENG 3rd Test | "Bazball is about being attacking but...": Hussain takes on England's defeat

Former England captain Nasser Hussain (Pic: AFP)

Former captain Nasser Hussain expressed sadness about England's failure to capitalise on important opportunities in the IND vs ENG 3rd Test where they faced a defeat against the hosts by 434 runs.

To say England was hammered would be an understatement after losing to India in the third Test. The hosts pummelled the visitors on a flat surface that finally worked to their advantage as time passed. India encountered a snag when star spinner Ravichandran Ashwin had to rush back to Chennai due to a family issue, leaving them with a ten-man squad. However, the Englishmen were unable to capitalise on critical moments that may have changed the team's fortunes.

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England team returned to India after the mid-series break with the hope of turning the series in their favour. Despite tackling some difficulties in the IND vs ENG 3rd Test, the hosts outclassed the visitors in Rajkot. Rohit Shrama-led Indian team gained much appreciation for their performances. They registered one of their most impressive red-ball victories

"One thing Joe will look at is the timing of that shot. [Ravichandran] Ashwin wasn't there, India are down a bowler; [Ravindra] Jadeja is playing off the back of an injury; Bumrah is playing three Tests in a row and there is talk of him needing a rest," Nasser Hussain was quoted as saying by Sky Sports.

"Bazball is about being attacked but it is also about soaking up pressure. Get Bumrah into his second or third spell, take it deep and then play the shot later in the day," he added.

Former England captain Sir Alastair Cook reflected on the visitors' defeat and questioned the timing of the shot rather than Root's decision to play it, citing his prior success with it in last summer's Ashes.

England's batting lineup started to collapse after the dismissal of their star batsman Joe Root. He was caught at the second slip in Jasprit Bumrah's over. After that, the visitors lost eight wickets for 95 runs, giving the opponents a 126-run lead in the IND vs ENG 3rd Test.

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"When he played it to the first ball [on day four of the first Test] at Edgbaston, I didn't mind it at all because it was all about how many runs England were going to score that day to set up a game. It sent a real message to everyone in the changing room that England's best player is going to take on Australia," Cook said.

"Root will be sitting in his room tonight going, 'I think I got that one wrong'," he added.

Hussain and Cook have the belief in England's capability of turning the table in their favour by securing victories in the remaining two matches.

"It has not been great for the last couple of days, but it's been pretty good before that," Hussain added.

"This side is better placed than any other side in England history to park a 434-run loss. In isolation that is an incredible figure but Stokes has this unflappable belief that he can win from anywhere. That belief rubs off on his team," Cook said.

With a 2-1 lead in the five-match Test series, India will face England in the fourth game at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi from Friday.

(With ANI Inputs)