‘It felt like they had gone too far’ - R Ashwin reflects on James Anderson’s comments on chasing 500-600 in 60 overs

India and England concluded their five-game Test series, and it ended in disappointment for England as the side lost four of the five games that they played. However, the Ben Stokes-led side got off to a marvellous start to the five-game affair as they defeated the hosts in the first Test of the series in Hyderabad. 

After winning, veteran English pacer James Anderson came forward to express how confident the side were for the series. Anderson opined that even if the target was 500 or 600, they would have chased it down in 60 overs. 

The statement did not sit well with veteran Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin, who came forward to opined that he felt that Anderson went too far. 

“James Anderson went into a press conference in the second Test after winning the first considerably well. Much respect to them for winning that. He told the press that even if the 4th innings target was 500 or 600, we’ll finish it in 60 overs. Even though it was an example of their positive mindset, it felt like they had gone too far,” Ashwin said in a video on his YouTube channel. 

Bazball isn’t just aggressive cricket: Ashwin

Furthermore, Ravichandran Ashwin also came forward to give his take on Bazball cricket. He opined that it is not just aggressive cricket, but it is also defenceless, which leaves a lot of holes for teams to exploit.

“The one thing I understood after the first Test is that Bazball isn’t just aggressive cricket. It is defenceless cricket. They aren’t going to play a defensive shot at all. They are going to get out if they play defence. To my surprise, Joe Root also agreed to their game plan. Because if you take world cricket’s vest defence rankings, Root is an easy number 1 on that list against spin. He also bought into their approach,” Ashwin said.