India’s heavy setback over England should herald the end of the beginning of Bazball.

You know the type. When Mufasa dies in The Lion King, Ron abandons Harry and Hermione in the Deathly Hallows, and Darth Vader defeats Obi-Wan Kenobi.

England are not there yet, but a 4-1 thrashing in India is undoubtedly the lowest point in the Ben Stokes-Brendon McCullum saga.

A trip to India might be a game changer for a squad. England’s defeat here in 2016 marked Alastair Cook’s final series as captain. Only six of the six teams defeated in the most recent Test in India made it to the first match of the domestic summer in 2021. That won’t be the case this time.
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