India need more bowling options, need to be more aggressive with the bat: Michael Vaughan

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has been critical of India’s approach in the limited-overs format and he came up with another bold statement recently. The 48-year-old felt that India’s strategy to go in with six batters and five bowlers played a big part in the first ODI loss against New Zealand in Auckland.

He even took a dig at Wasim Jaffer by terming the current Indian side as a ‘dated ODI team’ recently in a tweet which went viral. Jaffer and Vaughan's friendly social-media banter is known to all. The two keep mocking each other sarcastically on regular basis, and something similar happened this time too. But this time, it was not just mocking as Vaughan dropped truth bombs.

"Well played @BLACKCAPS. Made 300 look like 270. Williamson all class as always but Latham stole the show. Not easy for an opener to move down the order and still be successful. India missed a trick by just playing 5 bowlers." Jaffer tweeted after India’s loss against New Zealand in first ODI. 

"They are a dated ODI team. You need at least 6 if not 7 bowling options," Vaughan replied in Jaffer’s tweet. 

They are a dated ODI team .. you need at least 6 if not 7 bowling options .. https://t.co/UXsgWb2PvN

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) November 25, 2022

Adding to his point, Vaughan yet again was in the spotlight as he noted India needs to be a lot more aggressive with the bat in a reply to an Instagram post.  

“They are ..they need more bowling options & they need to be more aggressive with the bat .. “ Vaughan replied to CricTracker’s Instagram post. 

Lack of all-rounders not helping India's cause

Speaking about the first ODI, India’s top three batters scored half-centuries. However, the strike-rate was a matter of talking point, especially in a flat wicket at the Eden Park. Eventually, it led to India posting a total of 306/7 in their 50 overs quota, which wasn’t going to be enough with the short dimensions of the ground and also against a quality New Zealand batting lineup. 

Also, the fact that India went in without an all-rounder in the top six made it tougher for skipper Shikhar Dhawan to keep the scoring rate in check. It will be interesting to see if the Indian batting order adopts a different style in the second ODI in Hamilton, given that the ODI World Cup knocks their doors in less than 12 months' time.