Ben Stokes ripped apart by Michael Vaughan after Day 1 of Leeds Test

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has slammed Ben Stokes for choosing to bowl first on the opening day of the first Test against India at Headingley on Friday, June 20. Vaughan said that he was “staggered” by the decision, especially given the dry pitch conditions and ideal weather for batting.

After winning the toss, Ben Stokes said that he would "look to use the early conditions." However, the decision backfired as the Men in Blue finished with 359 runs for the loss of three wickets. Yashasvi Jaiswal scored 101 runs, while captain Shubman Gill remained unbeaten on 127 at stumps on Day 1.

I Was Staggered When I Heard Ben Stokes Was Going to Bowl First - Michael Vaughan

Michael Vaughan said that Ben Stokes ignored the conditions and relied too heavily on stats. Vaughan pointed out that with the sun shining and the pitch dry, it should have been an 'easy' decision to bat first. He added that decisions should be based on present conditions rather than past records.

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“I’m a bit of an old-school traditionalist here at Leeds that, when the sun shines, it’s quite an easy decision, particularly with the build-up to the Test match and it being so dry and so nice," Vaughan said. “I was staggered… when I heard he was going to bowl first. I thought, traditions have gone out the window."

“I know England have won chasing here quite a number of times over the recent times, but you always have to pick your decisions on that moment: just because you’ve won a year ago, two years ago or three years ago, it can’t really affect what the decision is today. And they’ve allowed India with a youngish batting line-up and a new captain to just go and play," he added.

Moisture and the Colour of the Wicket Was Behind the Decision - Tim Southee

Bowling consultant Tim Southee backed Ben Stokes’s decision, adding that the pitch had ‘a little bit of moisture’. Southee stated that the hosts would soon have their chance to bat. He credited Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant for their outstanding performances.

"It was a tough day but we will get our opportunity to bat soon. We will come back tomorrow and try to make some inroads," Southee said.

"There were two great knocks, Jaiswal and Pant are class players. A lot of guys chipped in around those knocks too. Moisture and the colour of the wicket was behind the decision to bowl first.

England Pose Early Threat with New Ball but India Fight Back Strongly

England troubled the Indian openers with the new ball early on. However, Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul stitched together a 91-run opening stand. Rahul perished for 42 just before lunch, and Ben Stokes removed debutant Sai Sudharsan for a duck, reducing India to 92/2 at the break.

Jaiswal brought up a fine century, his first in English conditions, before being bowled by Stokes for 101. Shubman Gill, leading India for the first time, added a 129-run partnership with Jaiswal. Rishabh Pant contributed an unbeaten 65 as India ended the day on a commanding 359/3.

The home team managed just three wickets, two for Stokes and one for Brydon Carse, mostly due to Indian mistakes, as the visitors took firm control on Day 1.

Also read: "Couldn’t you get an Indian?": BCCI faces backlash over National Anthem row during India vs England 1st Test