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'It's old-fashioned, 50-overs cricket from five years ago': Nasser Hussain explains 'problem' with India's slow starts

Mar 27, 2021 09:16 PM IST

The duo set up the platform for the heavy-hitters to do the job towards the end, but former England captain Nasser Hussain points out a problem with this approach.

India posted a mammoth total of 336/6 in the 2nd ODI against England. But the Jos Buttler-led England chased down the target in the 44th over, finishing the chase with six wickets in hand. The ease with which England went about their business in the chase has led to questions being raised on India's slow start in the game with the bat.

Former England captain Nasser Hussain.(Action Images via Reuters)
Former England captain Nasser Hussain.(Action Images via Reuters)

While the likes of Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya were quite effective in the death overs, adding 126 runs in the final 10, India were quite slow at the start and in the middle overs, when KL Rahul and skipper Virat Kohli were in the middle.


The duo set up the platform for the heavy-hitters to do the job towards the end, but former England captain Nasser Hussain points out a problem with this approach.

Writing in a column for The Daily Mail, Hussain wrote: “India, with two of the greatest white-ball batters there have ever been in their top three — Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli — try to bat normally through the first powerplay.

"It's not as if they are slouches when it comes to strike rates, but they take their time and soak up pressure. It's old-fashioned, 50-over cricket from five years ago. It's almost as if they are playing a 30-over game initially in which they are intent on keeping wickets in hand, followed by a Twenty20 innings," Hussain added.

Also read: May need to try other options: Ramiz Raja on India's bowling attack for 3rd ODI vs England

Hussain explained the differences in approach between the two teams in batting.

“Both these teams have very watchable batting line-ups, but there is an intriguing difference between them. While India play to get a par score most times, England look to go above par every time. They (India) see the game so differently. In contrast, England's approach is to see each of those allotted 50 overs as an opportunity to score," he wrote.

The former England batsman explained the problem with India's slow starts and said that it leaves Virat Kohli's side only getting to a par total.

“On Friday, they were only two wickets down when they hit that final 20, and they know they have Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya and Krunal Pandya in their middle order, who can go ballistic during that period. The problem with setting things up in this way for such a big last ten overs — even though India scored 126 — is that it invariably takes them to a par total," Hussain wrote.

“One of the reasons they still play like this is that they are yet to introduce a hitter into their top order — such as Ishan Kishan or Suryakumar Yadav. Another reason, perhaps, is that they know England are lacking their death bowlers, Jofra Archer and Chris Woakes,” Hussain signed off.

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ICC Champions Trophy , ICC Champions Trophy Schedule , and Champions Trophy 2025 Points Table – stay ahead with real-time match updates, team standings, and insights. Check live cricket score , player stats, and ICC rankings of top players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli . Get expert analysis, match previews, and in-depth coverage of Pakistan vs South Africa LIVE SCORE, India vs England Live Score and IPL 2025, all on HT Crickit, powered by Hindustan Times – your trusted source for cricket news.
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