Former captain Michael Vaughan has slammed Harry Brook for approaching spin recklessly during the T20I series in England’s tour of India 2025.
He called Brook’s approach aggressive and stated that he ‘almost disrespects’ it. The Yorkshire batter was dismissed by spin bowling on all five occasions and claimed twice by Varun Chakravarthy in the five-match T20I series.
The right-handed batter scored to aggregate only 91 runs at 18.20 with a best of 51 but maintained a strike rate of 146.77.
Vaughan stated that England must play spin better and the buck starts with Brook, given he has the ability to overcome that weakness.
“They seemed to have a clear strategy to attack the first ball of the over. You see that in modern white-ball cricket, but that is actually what India wants. They just have to play spin better. They have a problem against it, as we saw at the World Cups in 2023 and 2024.”
“Harry Brook is part of that problem. Brook can come good against spin. He has got the game and the gift to overcome anything. I just think he is too aggressive against spin. He almost disrespects it, and thinks he can just whack it out of the ground.”
Michael Vaughan highlighted that Brook must look up to Root, who has a balanced approach to things, adding, “I’d love him to watch Joe Root, who is a master of going back, hitting into the leg side, nabbing a two, getting off strike.”
“Sweeps and reverse sweeps to manoeuvre the field and create gaps. Do not just think boundary, boundary, boundary all the time. If Brook marries his own game with a bit of Root, he will be much better for it.”
With Harry Brook named in the IND vs ENG 1st ODI playing 11 he will be filled in the middle slot. However, with Varun Chakravarthy has been added to the Indian squad, Brook will be likely to face the spinner in the 50-over format.
Chakravarthy troubled most all England batters in the T20I leg finishing with 14 wickets in five games.
Vaughan feels England’s success in the Champions Trophy campaign will depend on Joe Root given the former Test skipper’s ability to play innings.
“When England were at their best, smashing 350 in ODIs regularly, we forget how good Root was.”
“And when they won the T20 World Cup it was Ben Stokes playing pragmatic cricket to get them over the line. Root manoeuvred the ball into the gaps, which allowed everyone else to be firecrackers.
“There is a strong case to consider him for the T20 World Cup, but before then, I do not think they have a chance in the Champions Trophy without him playing well.”
“The game has not changed so much that you do not need some glue, and Root will need to remind England’s big hitters that 50 overs is a very long time.”
The first match of the ODI series will be played on February 06 at VCA Stadium.
