England vs India 2021: Michael Vaughan Blasts Virat Kohli's Tactics To Open The Bowling On Day 2 With Ishant Sharma

Former England batsman Michael Vaughan slammed the Indian skipper’s tactics to start day 2 with the tall seamer Ishant Sharma who looked the least impressive among the Indian bowlers. Virat Kohli was under high pressure on day two as England has taken a complete hand in the Headingly Test so far.

Joe Root and Dawid Malan built a big partnership for the third wicket and India has already conceded a lead of 375 runs which is very huge for the vulnerable Indian batting lineup. The bowlers did not get any help from the wicket and it will be down to the Indian batsmen now to produce a massive batting performance to get back in the game.

Michael Vaughan Questions Virat For Not Giving The New Ball To Shami

Michael Vaughan mentioned that India missed the trick again by starting the day with Ishant, who did not find his rhythm on the first day. He reckoned that India should have tried out Bumrah to capitalize on the first hour. He also questioned Kohli’s tactics to not use Shami for the new ball.

“You are looking at the start of the day’s play. Ishant Sharma was by far the worst Indian seamer yesterday. You start with him the next day, in an hour that you have to win, you (should) surely go to your best bowler, Jasprit Bumrah.

“Shami didn’t take the new ball yesterday for whatever reason. And Virat will have to answer it and he will have to answer it quite heavily,” Michael Vaughan said on Test Match Special podcast.

Michael Vaughan Feels India Lack Adaptability

Michael Vaughan reckoned that India isn’t among the best teams in the world as they have lacked adaptability and willingness to change things according to the conditions. He felt that India should have played out the first session of the Test carefully at the Headingly pitch.

“The best teams in the world adapt. This Indian team are a good team, but they can’t be up there with the great teams unless they are actually willing to accept that they need to arrive and do things differently,” he added.

Virat Kohli has been going through a big slump in form and India is due for big innings from him.

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