England, needing an improbable 608 runs to win, ended day four at 72 for 3, still 536 runs adrift with just seven wickets in hand. With a daunting final day ahead, Vaughan questioned whether England would finally abandon their \u201cwin-only\u201d mindset and dig in to play for a draw \u2014 a result they have seldom embraced under Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Speaking to BBC Test Match Special, Vaughan said: \u201cBazball\u2019s going to get asked the ultimate question tomorrow. Are the team and the players going to go completely against what their natural instincts are to do? You\u2019ve got to get what\u2019s best on offer. And what\u2019s best on offer at the minute is a draw.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Vaughan pointed out that in the 34 Tests under Stokes\u2019 captaincy, England have drawn only once \u2014 a rain-affected game \u2014 while winning 21 and losing 12. He argued that to succeed in major series, especially against top sides like India or in Australia, England\u2019s mindset needs to shift.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIf you want to win the big series against the likes of India at home in five matches and you want to go to Australia, I think it\u2019s impossible to have a mindset that we just win, that\u2019s all we go for. We don\u2019t play for draws. A draw for England from this position, and I hope they get more in a way of kind of success, if they can get away from here with a draw, it\u2019s almost better than last week\u2019s win because it\u2019s completely against their natural trade.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Vaughan also criticised England\u2019s tactics earlier in the match, particularly their decision to bowl first after winning the toss despite favourable batting conditions. India made them pay by piling up 587, led by captain Shubman Gill\u2019s brilliant 269. England\u2019s quick-scoring first innings ended at 407, leaving them chasing the game.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThey\u2019ve won the toss and decided to bowl once again and it was eventually going to backfire in these English conditions in the UK with the ball and the pitches. And I am intrigued to see how this team talk about what they are going to do in the dressing room and come out and do it tomorrow.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Vaughan also criticised England\u2019s tactics earlier in the match, particularly their decision to bowl first after winning the toss despite favourable batting conditions. India made them pay by piling up 587, led by captain Shubman Gill\u2019s brilliant 269. England\u2019s quick-scoring first innings ended at 407, leaving them chasing the game.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
All eyes will now be on Stokes and his team to see if they can adapt or whether their Bazball bravado will prove their undoing.<\/p>\r\n\r\n