Sunil Gavaskar backs Virat Kohli's 'Viratball' against England's 'Bazball'

Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has expressed support for Virat Kohli's aggressive playing style, emphasizing its effectiveness as a countermeasure against England's 'Baseball' approach in the upcoming five-Test series. The attacking style adopted by England, under the influence of head coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes, has proven successful; however, Gavaskar believes that playing aggressive cricket on pitches with pace and bounce, unlike the subcontinent's turning surfaces, presents a distinct challenge. Kohli's assertive approach is seen as a potential key factor that could make a difference between the two teams in all the Tests.

Even former Indian cricketer Zaheer Khan has expressed skepticism about England's ability to execute 'Baseball' in Indian conditions. In discussing the forthcoming five-Test series, Khan mentioned the focus on 'Bazball' and questioned whether England's approach would remain the same. The series, beginning on January 25 in Hyderabad, will be followed by matches in Visakhapatnam, Rajkot, Ranchi, and Dharamshala. Notably, India has remained undefeated at home since 2012, and England last won a Test series in India during their 2012 tour.