'He was the worst Indian seamer' - Michael Vaughan questions India's tactics to open the bowling with Ishant Sharma on Day 2

Team India’s bowlers toiled hard on the second day of the third Test at Headingley against England. They managed to pick up eight wickets in the day but the hosts are running away with the game extending their lead to 345 runs. India needed early breakthroughs and they got Rory Burns in the first 30 minutes as well but Ishant Sharma was not up to the mark from the other end.

The lanky pacer didn’t look in rhythm at all throughout the day and former England cricketer Michael Vaughan has questioned India’s tactics. According to him, the visitors should’ve gone with two of their best bowlers in the morning session when it was imperative for them to pick wickets. A lot of eyebrows were raised even when Ishant was given the new ball on Day 1 in the defense of a meagre 78.

“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,” Vaughan said in the Test Match Special podcast.

There should be willingness to adapt, says Michael Vaughan

Michael Vaughan also felt that India didn’t adapt to the conditions properly and should’ve changed their plans properly. Instead, they went with their regular flow and introduced Mohammed Shami as the third bowler when he should’ve got the new ball alongside Jasprit Bumrah.

“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,” the former England cricketer further added.

As for Ishant Sharma, it was a day to forget for him even as the other three seamers toiled hard. He has conceded runs 92 runs in 22 overs so far and is the most expensive bowler of the lot. Ishant is also the only wicketless bowler of the five bowlers.