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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Matthew Cooper

Michael Vaughan brands India "massive under-achievers" after England T20 World Cup loss

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has slammed cricket powerhouse India as "the most under-performing white-ball team in history" following their crushing ten wicket loss to Jos Buttler's side in the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup.

India are undeniably the biggest force in the sport, but have not won a World Cup in either ODI or T20I cricket in over a decade, crashing out of seven different tournaments since their memorable triumph on home soil in 2011 and only making the final once - losing to Sri Lanka in the 2016 World T20.

This time, they were utterly thrashed by an England side that has transformed the way they play white-ball cricket ever since embarrassingly crashing out of the 2015 World Cup in the group stage.

That new dynamic brand of cricket was pioneered by former captain Eoin Morgan and saw them reach two T20 World Cup finals and win the 50-over World Cup in the four major tournaments that have followed their 2015 humiliation.

And Vaughan has criticised India's "dated" style of play and questioning both their tactics and selection. He wrote in the Telegraph : "Since winning the 50 over World Cup on home soil in 2011 what have they done? Nothing.

"India are playing a white-ball game that is dated and have done for years. How they have not maximised someone like Rishabh Pant is incredible. In this era, put him up the top to launch it.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan believes India are the "most under-performing white-ball team in history" (Philip Brown/Getty Images)

"How have they only got five bowling options when you think 10 or 15 years ago all of India's top six could bowl a little bit – Sachin Tendulkar, Suresh Raina, Virender Sehwag and even Sourav Ganguly? None of the batsmen bowl so the captain has only got five options."

Vaughan also slammed India's lack of intent with the bat, suggesting it was a big reason behind their loss to England. "I'm just staggered by how they play T20 cricket for the talent they have," he added.

"They have the players, but just do not have the right process in place. They have to go for it. Why do they give the opposition bowlers the first five overs to bed in?"

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