IND vs ENG 2024: Bairstow in Dharamsala epitomised England’s clickbait batting – Michael Vaughan

Former England skipper Michael Vaughan reckons Jonny Bairstow’s batting style in the Dharamsala Test epitomised England’s clickbait batting after the visitors suffered an innings defeat of 64 runs on Saturday. Bairstow, playing his 100th Test match, batted with an aggressive approach in both innings but could not deliver the goods.

The Yorkshire batter returned with scores of 29 off 18 balls and 39 off 31 balls in the final Test match. Bairstow was plumbed in front of the wickets in the second innings by Kuldeep Yadav whereas he was caught behind by Dhruv Jurel in the second innings.

Bairstow didn’t have a great series as he could only manage 238 runs in five Test matches at a paltry average of 23.80.

“England’s batting was a real worry on this tour,” Vaughan wrote for Daily Telegraph. “I watched Jonny Bairstow in Dharamsala, on his 100th Test, and I thought his two innings almost epitomise what this team is becoming. I would call it Clickbait Batting. They are playing shots to get clicks, likes and follows.”

“I’ve been there on social media! In a batting context you play a few great-looking shots and everyone swoons on social media and then you get out.”

England adopted an aggressive approach of Bazball but could not find success with it while playing in tough Indian conditions as they lost the series by 4-1.

Vaughan reckons defence has become a dirty word in the England dressing room. After his heroic knock of 196 at Hyderabad, Ollie Pope also could not play consistently and Vaughan added he starts his innings like a cat on a hot tin roof.

“I watch them bat and worry that defence has become a dirty word in the setup because it’s negative. Is it a cover because they don’t trust their defence? Ollie Pope starts like a cat on a hot tin roof, and many of them lack the ability to calm the situation with a few overs of defence,” he continued.

England could not come up with a collective effort in the series as their middle order could not deliver the goods.