Joe Root returned to England's one-day international squad for the first time since their ill-fated World Cup title defence in November
'Bazball' has changed the dynamics of England's batting approach in Test cricket and their Kiwi coach Brendon McCullum is very clear that irrespective of outcome, his team won't deviate from its aggressive tactics against India in the five-Test series, where most tracks will offer substantial turn.
In a must-win situation to keep the five-match series alive, England would be hoping to put a much improved performance with the bat.
A few days ago, when young England off-spinner Shoaib Bashir saw a missed call from a New Zealand dialling code number, he ignored it thinking it could be from "anyone random".
The spotlight will be firmly on Mohammed Shami as the Indian team contemplates his inclusion in the playing XI.
India's young T20 stars, led by opener Abhishek Sharma's blistering 79 off 34 balls, helped India crush England by seven wickets in the first T20I in Kolkata.
Chennai Super Kings batsman Rachin Ravindra attributed their comprehensive victory over Mumbai Indians to the team's spinners, particularly the leadership of Ravichandran Ashwin. Ravindra highlighted the depth and balance provided by the spin attack, which ensured they could handle any off-days from individual bowlers.
Since McCullum took over, England have won six out of their seven Tests
During the third day of the opening Test against New Zealand, England skipper Ben Stokes entered the history books as he broke Brendon McCullum's record.
Greg Chappell hails Harry Brook, compares him to Sachin Tendulkar in an ode to England's bright future
Phillips' remarkable reach and agility on the field can be attributed to genes and his stint as a gymnast in his younger days.
Both Morgan and Watson believe Rohit Sharma's team has the necessary firepower to win the title.
Harry Brook said that England's batters will look to apply constant pressure on India's bowlers during the second T20I in Chennai on Saturday.
New rules, new captains, but same excitement as two months of cricket extravaganza kicks off in Kolkata.
Tim Southee equalled West Indies great Chris Gayle's tally of sixes in Test cricket to move to joint-fourth spot in the all-time list.
'I don't know if it's symbolic of where the game itself is at around the globe, but I see it as an absolute positive to be honest.'
McDonald 'disappointed' with McCullum's comment post Bairstow dismissal
Both teams have struggled in the ODI format recently. World champions Australia lost to Sri Lanka (0-2) and Pakistan (1-2) in their last two series, while England, now coached by Brendon McCullum in all formats, haven't won an ODI series since their disastrous 2023 World Cup campaign.
'Bazball' could be the most used term in world cricket over the last one month but the inspiration behind it, England Test coach Brendon McCullum, finds the incessant talk around the newly coined word 'silly'.
The first T20I between India and England at Eden Gardens was a significant event for multiple reasons.
The left-hander clobbered eight sixes and five fours in his scintillating 79 off 34 balls as India chased down a modest 133-run target in 12.5 overs.
England secured a 26-run victory over India in the third T20I in Rajkot on Tuesday to stay alive in the five-match series.
England wicketkeeper Jordan Cox has been ruled out of the three-Test series against New Zealand after fracturing his thumb in a net session during a tour match in Queenstown.
McCullum replaced Chris Silverwood who left the role in February
Brendon McCullum wants James Anderson and Stuart Broad to be in his Ashes squad
After a disappointing showing in the Test series in Australia recently, the Indian team is eager to make a fresh start in the T20 format.
'He sees the big picture in everything, so I've no concerns that the skipper will be totally looked after. And I also believe that the Ashes is the script that the skipper is waiting to write, so he'll be sweet.'
'I think McCullum wants to take this up because he sees this as a major challenge.'
Harshit Rana's debut as a concussion substitute became a central talking point, overshadowing India's series-clinching 15-run victory and its unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series.
'He wants to do something significant and leave a legacy and impact on Test cricket and he is getting there.'
Broad said 'Baz' McCullum had already made a difference.
Coming to the match, Trent Boult started the carnage, eventually finishing with figures of three for 20, and as Indian batters picked out the fielders on the boundary with regularity, they were only able to make 110 for seven.
McCullum, who is currently in charge of Indian Premier League side Kolkata Knight Riders, was keen on taking the job
England have won all four Tests since the new head coach took over last month.
Gautam Gambhir's position as India's head coach is under scrutiny following a string of disappointing results and reports of discontent within the team.
The 33-year-old said his rehabilitation was going well and that he would undergo a scan on Wednesday.
Kolkata Knight Riders head coach Brendon McCullum says young Venkatesh Iyer, with his flamboyance, played the role of a catalyst in turning around the fortunes of the side in the second leg of the IPL in the UAE.
England's aggressive approach will help when they face spin-friendly conditions in Pakistan during their Test series in October, the country's former bowler Stuart Broad has said.
Tim Southee, once half of the most feared new-ball partnership in the game, brought down the curtain on a glittering 16-year Test career after New Zealand crushed England for a consolation win in Hamilton on Tuesday.
Kolkata Knight Riders have been found wanting on more than one front in IPL 2022, but head coach Brendon McCullum singled out their struggles in the powerplay in a disappointing campaign.
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