'What is going on with your cricket team?' - Shane Warne and Michael Vaughan engage in a war of words on Twitter

England skipper Joe Root has been put under major scrutiny by veteran players and cricket analysts after he refused to declare the England innings in the third innings even after having an upper hand in the first Test against India. In reply to England’s mammoth total of 578 runs in the first innings, India could manage only 337 runs on the board.

Thus, the cricket pundits were of the view that the visitors will soon declare the innings and will look to bowl in the final session of Day 4. However, the England batsmen were keen on batting throughout the day and presented India with a target of 420 runs after getting bundled out for 178 runs.

This approach by the visitors didn’t go well with the Australian veteran Shane Warne as he slammed Joe Root for his poor tactical decision. Warne believes that England has given India a chance to draw an almost lost game with 9 wickets in their hand for Day 5. However, Shane’s words of criticism for Root and the England team resulted in him getting engaged in a verbal war with Vaughan on the microblogging site.

“Very surprised England hasn’t declared yet & why aren’t they trying to get 400 asap? England batted too long in the 1st innings too & now letting the game drift & showing no urgency at all. Surely they are better off bowling now than wasting overs not scoring any runs @SkyCricket,” Warne tweeted.

Very surprised England haven’t declared yet & why aren’t they trying to get 400 asap? England batted to long in the 1st innings too & now letting the game drift & showing no urgency at all. Surely they are better of bowling now than wasting overs not scoring any runs @SkyCricket

— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) February 8, 2021

Michael Vaughan defends the England team and Joe Root

In another tweet, Warne called out former England captain Michael Vaughan saying, “What is going on with your cricket team ? What on Earth are they doing just letting the game drift ? Why aren’t they bowling ? England wouldn’t want to not be able to bowl India out now after batting too long in both innings !!”

Taking note of the criticism by Warne, Michael defended his team and Joe Root saying that India can still win on this pitch. “If they Win they will have played it well … if they draw it will affect them for the rest of the Series … I still think they will win on this pitch,” Vaughan tweeted.

If they Win they will have played it well … if they draw it will affect them for the rest of the Series … I still think they will win on this pitch … 👍👍 https://t.co/MDMvK3XJLh

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) February 8, 2021

Shane Warne was not the one to back out as he presented another argument by tweeting, “So you think @root66 is doing the right thing and not declaring ? Need more runs ? Surely should be bowling no”

So you think @root66 is doing the right thing and not declaring ? Need more runs ? Surely should be bowling now…. https://t.co/DGHdLYVir2

— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) February 8, 2021