"I have my reservations about the Bazball theory" - R Ashwin's huge take on Ben Stokes after Day 4 of ENG vs IND 2025 4th Test

Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin gave his opinion on the 'Bazball' theory while talking about Ben Stokes' century in the ongoing Manchester Test. While Stokes scored a brilliant hundred, Ashwin questioned some of his shots and whether there was a need to play them.

The England captain got to his 14th Test ton, making 141 runs off 198 balls with 11 boundaries and three sixes. While the hosts have batted aggressively in the format over the last few years, Ashwin reflected that there was no need to do so if you can play proper Test cricket.

"I have my reservations about the bazball theory. There is a small line between aggressive cricket and foolish cricket. Ben Stokes used to take on fast bowlers and hit those shots that was caught at mid-off or mid-on. Why? When a batter can play an innings like that at Headingley in the Ashes, what is the need to do all this?," he said on his YouTube channel 'Ash ki Baat'. (9:45) "If you want to play aggressive cricket, pull a back-of-length ball, hit a drive on the up, but you can be aggressive like this. This ramp shot, reverse sweeps, there is no need to show aggression like this, if you have the pedigree," he added.

Stokes has certainly stepped up for his side in the ongoing Test series. As far as the Manchester Test is concerned, he has scored a century and picked up six wickets, including a fifer in the first innings.

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It is still England's Test to lose, believes Ashwin

Ashwin believes that England are still the favorites in the ongoing Test at Old Trafford. India were bowled out for 358 in the first innings, and the hosts replied with 669, gaining a massive 311-run lead.

They then pushed the visitors on the back foot by reducing them to 0/2. However, KL Rahul and Shubman Gill led India's fightback, stitching an unbeaten 174-run stand as India lost no further wickets in the day. While he feels the visitors can pull off a draw, it will not be as easy as it appears to be.

"It is still England's Test to lose. Look at the first innings as well, we were in a good position but once they got one wicket they got their noses head. India has a long tail. Shardul can bat. If they can pull it off, it will be pulsating. I would love to watch that. If you think it will be an easy draw, I have my doubts. You have to pull every string to draw this game. It won't be easy. It is still England's match, but a famous draw on the cards if India can do it," Ashwin said. (21:45)

KL Rahul is unbeaten on 87 off 210 balls, while Shubman Gill is unbeaten on 78 off 167 balls.

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Edited by Rishab Vm