Vaughan Slams Stokes as England Falter vs India

Former England captain Michael Vaughan criticized Ben Stokes' decision to bowl first on a dry, sunlit Headingley pitch in the opening Test against India, calling the move 'staggering' and arguing that England misread the conditions. The call allowed India's Yashasvi Jaiswal and new captain Shubman Gill to score centuries and lead India to 359-3 by stumps on Day 1. Vaughan emphasized that such tactical choices should be based on current playing conditions, not recent history, and noted England's batting strength. He also questioned Stokes' lack of match practice before the series, warning that England's success in both the India series and the Ashes depends on Stokes' fitness and form. Vaughan urged England to shift toward a more ruthless, results-oriented approach, cautioning that entertaining cricket alone will not suffice. England's fielding and tactical errors, combined with India's strong performance despite missing key players, have put the hosts under pressure for the rest of the summer.