'India are most underperforming white-ball team in history' - Ex-England skipper

After their heart-breaking defeat at the hands of England on Thursday, November 11, former English skipper Michael Vaughan absolutely thrashed the Men in Blue and called them out for multiple poor performances in the grandest of stages. Against the Three Lions, the opening duo of KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma once again struggled to get going while the bowlers were absolutely hammered all across the park. India were handed a 10-wicket loss, which isn’t just humiliating but also proves India’s strength in certain situations.

Coming to the marquee tournament, India were by far the most successful side and it was their approach that made them difficult to control. However, in the 20-20 World Cup 2022, the Men in Blue once again looked pale in a crucial match and Michael Vaughan wasn’t shy to call the Rohit Sharma-led side the most under-performing team in white-ball history.

“Since winning 50 over World Cup what have they done? Nothing. India are playing a white-ball game that is dated and have done for years. India are the most underperforming white-ball team in history. Every player in the world who goes to the Indian Premier League says how it improves their game but what have India ever delivered?” Vaughan wrote in his column for The Telegraph.

Just staggered by how they play T20 cricket: Vaughan

After the 2021 massacre, India appointed a new captain, and a new coach and changed the way they play T20I cricket, only to change their plans ahead of the 20-20 World Cup 2022. Every player was given a separate role in the mega tournament which ultimately didn’t turn out well for the Men in Blue. With that, the 48-year-old Vaughan expressed how baffling it is to see how India plays T20 cricket.

“I am just staggered by how they play T20 cricket for the talent they have. They have the players, but just do not have the right process in place. They have to go for it. Why do they give the opposition bowlers the first five overs to bed in?” Vaughan said.

“Nobody wants to criticise them because you get hammered on social media and pundits worry about losing work in India one day. But it is time to tell it straight. They can hide behind their great players but it is about getting a team playing the right way as a whole. Their bowling options are too few, they do not bat deep enough and lack spin tricks,” he added.