Former India captain and legendary opener Sunil Gavaskar has launched a scathing attack on England’s defensive field placements used against India on Day 3 of the ongoing Lord’s Test, calling the approach “negative cricket” and “against the spirit of Test match battles.” His remarks came as England packed the boundary with deep fielders to curb India’s aggressive batting, which he believes kills the essence of traditional Test cricket.
England’s controversial tactic at Lord’s
During the afternoon session on Day 3, India’s middle-order batters were looking to accelerate and build a strong lead. However, England captain Ben Stokes opted for ultra-defensive field placements with as many as five fielders stationed at deep square leg, deep mid-wicket, long on, deep cover, and third man.
This tactic:
- Minimised run-scoring opportunities in boundaries
- Forced batters to rotate strike cautiously
- Slowed down the game’s tempo significantly
Gavaskar’s strong criticism on live commentary
While analysing the match for official broadcasters, Gavaskar stated:
“This is not cricket at all. You are playing with five boundary riders in a Test match. Where is the contest between bat and ball? If you bowl bouncers with men on the boundary, that’s T20 cricket, not Test match cricket.”
He further added:
“These are tactics that kill the spirit of the longest format. You must challenge the batter with close-in catchers, not just protect runs with deep fielders.”
Why England resorted to these tactics?
England’s decision stemmed from:
- Indian batters dominating short-pitched bowling
Players like Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant counter-attacked effectively whenever England bowled short without boundary protection earlier in the innings. - Trying to break partnerships with defensive patience
England hoped to force an error by drying up boundaries and testing the batters’ temperament. - Pitch conditions favouring the batter
The Lord’s wicket flattened out by Day 3, offering minimal seam or swing movement, making attacking field placements riskier.
What other experts said
Former England captain Nasser Hussain shared a balanced view:
“Yes, it’s defensive. But modern Test cricket has seen teams use white-ball tactics to stem scoring rates. It’s within the laws, though it does take away the attacking excitement.”
Meanwhile, India’s batting coach Vikram Rathour lauded the batters’ patience against defensive tactics, stating:
“It’s part of the game. Our boys showed maturity to keep rotating strike without frustration.”
Breakdown of England’s field placements on Day 3
| Bowler | Field Tactic | Effectiveness |
|---|---|---|
| Mark Wood | Short ball with five on boundary | Restricted boundaries but failed to take wickets |
| James Anderson | Fuller lengths with two slips and packed off-side field | Economical but no breakthroughs |
| Ollie Robinson | Bouncers with leg-side boundary riders | Contained Rishabh Pant briefly |
Sunil Gavaskar’s broader concern for Test cricket
The 74-year-old batting legend is known for upholding the purity of Test cricket. His comments reflect growing concerns among purists that:
- Defensive tactics reduce Test cricket to a battle of attrition rather than skill.
- Modern fielding strategies derived from T20 cricket hamper audience interest in long-form games.
- Overuse of boundary riders kills close-catching opportunities that define traditional Test match contests.
He further said:
“Fans come to watch bowlers trying to get batters out with skill, not just bowling bouncers hoping they mistime a hook.”
Day 3: Match summary
India closed Day 3 with a strong lead after key contributions from Shubman Gill (89), Rishabh Pant (67), and Ravindra Jadeja (44*). England’s bowling looked ineffective despite defensive setups, raising questions about their strategic approach.
| Session | Runs scored | Wickets lost |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | 105 | 2 |
| Afternoon | 82 | 1 |
| Evening | 74 | 2 |
Fans react to England’s field setup
Cricket fans took to social media platforms to criticise England’s tactics:
- @cricfan_john: “Negative tactics from Stokes. Ashamed to see this at Lord’s.”
- @bleedblue_ravi: “This is why Bazball fails against top teams. No attacking intent.”
- @lordsheritage: “Defensive captaincy from England. Kudos to India for batting maturely.”
England’s defending captaincy approach under scanner
The Stokes-McCullum era is known for aggressive “Bazball” tactics. However, critics argue that resorting to defensive fields contradicts their stated philosophy. Former players believe it indicates:
- Lack of confidence in bowling attack
- Absence of clarity on bowling plans to Indian batters
- A shift from their natural attacking template
What lies ahead in the Test match
With two days remaining and India holding a substantial lead, England will need:
- Quick wickets on Day 4 to restrict the lead under 300.
- More attacking fields to create wicket-taking opportunities rather than just containing runs.
- Their top order to perform under pressure in the fourth innings on a potentially deteriorating pitch.
Conclusion
Sunil Gavaskar’s criticism adds an important dimension to the debate on Test match tactics. As teams balance defensive containment and attacking aggression, the larger question remains – should Test cricket continue absorbing T20 strategies at the cost of its traditional charm?
This Test match at Lord’s could set precedents for how future series are strategised, particularly when batters dominate on flat wickets. While England’s tactics frustrated India briefly, the visitors have so far held control in what remains a compelling contest between two proud cricketing nations.
Disclaimer
This news article is based on live match commentary, expert opinions, and current match updates till July 2025. Readers are advised to check official match scorecards and post-day press conferences for final results and strategies. This publication does not take responsibility for any decisions made based on this news content.
