ENG vs IND 2025: 'If England can draw Edgbaston Test, it will be better than their win at Headingley' - Michael Vaughan previews Day 5 of second Test

Under Ben Stokes' captaincy and Brendon McCullum's coaching, the England Test team has made a reputation of chasing down humongous totals in the fourth innings. However, Michael Vaughan has advised them to ditch their ultra-aggressive 'Bazball' tactics on Day 5 of the Edgbaston Test against India as they need to chase down what seems an improbable target of 608 runs in the fourth innings.

England have already lost three wickets in 16 overs, scoring 72 runs heading into the final day of the second Test in Birmingham. Indian pacers Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep have been in splendid rhythm in the Test match and Vaughan feels that a draw would be the best result from here for England.

“Bazball's going to get asked the ultimate question tomorrow. Are the team and the players going to go completely against what their natural instincts are to do? You've got to get what's best on offer. And what's best on offer at the minute is a draw," Vaughan said while speaking to BBC Test Match Special.

Vaughan pointed out that in the 34 Tests under Stokes' leadership, the Three Lions have drawn only once — a rain-affected game — while winning 21 and losing 12. The cricketer-turned-commentator explained that to succeed in major series, especially against top sides like India or in Australia, England will have to change their mindset.

“If you want to win the big series against the likes of India at home in five matches and you want to go to Australia, I think it's impossible to have a mindset that we just win, that's all we go for. We don't play for draws. A draw for England from this position, and I hope they get more in a way of kind of success, if they can get away from here with a draw, it's almost better than last week's win because it's completely against their natural trade," Vaughan stated.

Vaughan also lambasted Ben Stokes' move of deciding to bowl first after winning the toss in the Edgbaston Test, even when the conditions where conducive to the batters.

“They've won the toss and decided to bowl once again and it was eventually going to backfire in these English conditions in the UK with the ball and the pitches. And I am intrigued to see how this team talk about what they are going to do in the dressing room and come out and do it tomorrow," Vaughan said.

The former England skipper backed the England batters to bat the full day and save the Test match as the surface is still good for batting.

“Because the pitch is still good and if England can have that instinct inside to play hard then they can bat the full day tomorrow. They really can," Vaughan concluded.