- By Gurmeet Batra
- Tue, 05 Aug 2025 10:35 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
IND vs ENG Oval Test: Former captain Michael Vaughan has ripped into England for "panicking" and implying an excessively high-risk strategy, pointing out flaws in their approach on the last day of the Oval Test against India, with the side needing 35 runs to win and four wickets in hand.
India pacers Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna dashed England's dream of winning at the Oval, scripting a run win to draw the five-match series 2-2 on Monday.
Vaughan reserved some of his harshest criticism for England's ill-fated collapse, stating that if India had suffered a similar low, they’d be criticised for ‘yippying up’ while South Africa would have predictably been branded as "chokers" once again.
"...Ben Stokes in that team, England would've won this Test match. He plays such a big role in this team, the mentality... England did panic (on the fifth morning)," Vaughan told BBC's Test Match Special.
"They just needed one partnership. They panicked in the way that they can with the way that they play, they play with a huge amount of aggressiveness. Yesterday (Sunday) afternoon, the Harry Brook dismissal did cause that collapse, but it's the way England play," Vaughan added.
On Day 4, England were at 301/3 with 73 runs needed and six wickets in hand. Centurion Harry Brook mistimed a shot and his step-down-and-loft against Akash Deep resulted in an easy catch, while young Jacob Bethell lost his wicket to Krishna.
England captain Ben Stokes was ruled out of the fifth and final crucial Test due to a shoulder injury, while pace duo Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse were rested.
Vaughan stated that the compelling series against India should be a perfect preparation for England with the Ashes series against Australia approaching in November.
"It's been a tremendous five matches for England. You've got to be realistic, this week they were down to 10 men, lost one of their bowlers early, and not got Ben Stokes. You're looking at the team going to Australia and I think there's more pieces in place," said the former England captain.
"We'll arrive in Perth for that first Test and know the top seven. It's just a matter of the bowling attack and getting that right. Clearly Ben Stokes is going to have to get fit. With Ben Stokes in the England side they can beat anybody. Without him, they can lose to anybody," Vaughan said.