Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin defends England’s tactics after their 4-1 loss to Australia in the Ashes 2025-26 series. Read his insights on Bazball strategy and missed opportunities.
Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has shared his views on England’s performance in the recently concluded Ashes 2025-26 series, defending head coach Brendon McCullum’s tactics even after England suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat to Australia.
The Ashes 2025-26 series saw the Ben Stokes-led England team struggle across five Test matches, managing to win only the second Test. Australia, despite missing some key players, dominated the series and comfortably retained the Ashes, showcasing clinical batting and bowling performances.
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Ashwin Backs England’s Bazball Strategy
The England cricket team’s Bazball approach and McCullum’s unconventional tactics came under intense scrutiny after the series loss, with critics questioning whether England should adopt a more traditional style of play. However, Ravichandran Ashwin disagreed, stating that the team’s methods are fundamentally sound.
“I wonder what is next for England. If we do a man-to-man marking like football, England would have told themselves, as Stuart Broad did, that this is probably a very good England side against not necessarily one of the best Australian sides. They didn’t have their main seamers. Michael Neser was tipped to play only in one ground, but he got four scalps in the first innings in Sydney and continued to bowl well. The caught and bowled off Joe Root’s bat was fabulous,” Ashwin said in a detailed video on his YouTube channel.
Missed Opportunities for England
Ravichandran Ashwin also highlighted the missed opportunities for England, emphasizing that the team failed to capitalize on an Australian side missing key players.
“It was almost a second-string attack. Scott Boland played all five Tests, something he has never done in the past. England would really feel it was an opportunity lost here. Brendon McCullum mentioned that their methods weren’t wrong but could use minor refinements. I don’t think he believes the approach itself needs a major change,” Ashwin added.
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