Following England's defeat in the Test series against India with a score of 4-1, Nasser Hussain, the former captain, has emphasized the batting collapses encountered by the visitors as the primary issue that the team's management needs to address.
Despite a promising start with a victory in the series opener in Hyderabad by 28 runs, England suffered significant batting collapses in subsequent matches, including 6-68 in Visakhapatnam, 8-95 in Rajkot, 7-35 in Ranchi, and 9-118 in Dharamshala, leading to their inability to clinch the series against a formidable Indian team.
"The batting collapses will undoubtedly be the focal point of analysis from this tour. There were numerous instances where England began well, only to falter in the middle order. While such challenges are expected in India, the quality of pitches in this series was commendable, leaving England with no excuses," remarked Hussain on Sky Sports following the conclusion of the fifth and final Test in Dharamshala, which England lost by an innings and 64 runs.
He further stressed the importance for England to prioritize individual performances over a team strategy like Bazball, highlighting the improvements made by Indian spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Kuldeep Yadav. "We often get caught up in team strategies like Bazball, but what truly matters are individual performances in these conditions," noted Hussain.
He cited the examples of James Anderson, who recently achieved his 700th Test wicket, and Ravichandran Ashwin, who claimed nine wickets in his 100th Test, as epitomes of players constantly striving to enhance their skills. "Anderson's commitment to improving his pace despite his age and Ashwin's continuous learning demonstrate how players evolve and excel," Hussain explained.
Hussain encouraged players like Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, and Ollie Pope to reflect on their performances and identify areas for improvement. "Understanding the reasons behind collapses and analyzing individual performances are crucial steps towards progress, both as players and as a team," he emphasized.
Concluding his remarks, Hussain hailed Anderson's achievement of reaching 700 Test wickets as phenomenal and suggested that surpassing Shane Warne's tally of 708 wickets could be his next milestone. "Anderson's remarkable feat serves as inspiration for aspiring fast bowlers, highlighting the immense dedication and skill required to succeed at the highest level," Hussain concluded.
