Michael Vaughan labels Team India 'useless' following their humiliating defeat in Headingley Test

Hardly anything went in India’s favour during the third Test as England registered a comprehensive victory. The Three Lions won the contest by an innings and 76 runs and leveled the five-match series 1-1.  Virat Kohli’s men were on the back foot right from the outset as they got skittled out for mere 78 runs after electing to bat first at the Headingley Stadium in Leeds.

Their bowlers couldn’t do much either as England slammed 432, earning a massive first-innings lead of 354 runs. Although veterans Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Rohit Sharma added some spice in the contest with gutsy half-centuries, England’s win wasn’t avoided. Former England captain Michael Vaughan was mighty impressed with his countrymen as he hailed the home team’s character for making a stunning comeback.

Ruthless performance from England: Michael Vaughan

At the same time, Vaughan also didn’t mince his words while criticizing India, calling the side useless. “Fantastic ruthless performance from England .. that’s as good as it gets .. To do that after Lords shows great character which comes from the Skipper .. India !!!!! A few days to forget .. they really have been useless !!! #ENGvIND,” tweeted the former England skipper.

Fantastic ruthless performance from England .. that’s as good as it gets .. To do that after Lords shows great character which comes from the Skipper .. India !!!!! A few days to forget .. they really have been useless !!! #ENGvIND

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) August 28, 2021

For the unversed, England were under the pump heading into this game, having not performed well in the previous clashes. While the first game at Trent Bridge resulted in a draw, the second encounter saw India registering a thumping 151-run win at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Stadium. With India being 1-0 up after the first two games, a win in the third Test would have handed the visitors an unassailable 2-0 lead.

However, England brought their A-game out and settled the scores. Speaking of England’s thumping triumph, Vaughan lauded skipper Joe Root and head coach Chris Silverwood. “It’s mental strength and character, Joe Root and Chris Silverwood have done a good job over the last few days. I never have any doubt about an England Test team when the ball’s moving about like it did on the first day, but they’ve got to back it up at The Oval,” Vaughan said on BBC Test match special. Meanwhile, the fourth Test gets underway on September 2 at the Kennington Oval in London.