Alastair Cook Frustrated by England’s Shot Selection
Former England captain Sir Alastair Cook has questioned the shot selection of England’s batters after their T20 series defeat to India. Cook, who was speaking to TNT Sports, expressed his disappointment over Ben Duckett and Harry Brook’s approach in the crucial fourth match.
“It has just annoyed me because it’s so frustrating,” said Cook. “England should have won that game, regardless of the controversial concussion replacement that benefited India.”
England’s Harry Brook and captain Jos Buttler take a run during the first T20 cricket match between India and England at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, India, on January 22, 2025. (Photo by Debajyoti Chakraborty/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
England Lose T20 Series to India
Brendon McCullum’s England side lost the fourth T20, allowing India to secure an unassailable 3-1 lead in the series. Despite some impressive performances, poor shot selection and failure to adapt to the match situation proved costly for England.
Cook’s Criticism of Duckett and Brook
Cook singled out Ben Duckett for his shot selection during a crucial moment in the powerplay.
“Ben Duckett played beautifully, scoring 62 off 5.5 overs. One ball to go in the powerplay—just take a single, regroup, and reassess. Instead, he played an unnecessary shot.”
The former England skipper also pointed out Harry Brook’s shot selection in the final over.
“Harry Brook has been the standout player of the series, but his decision-making was questionable. Instead of playing a calculated innings to secure victory, he opted for risky shots.”
Hardik Pandya is in action during the match in Kolkata, India, on January 22, 2025. (Photo by Debarchan Chatterjee/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
‘Ego Over the Game Plan’
Cook believes that England’s aggressive T20 mindset sometimes overrides match awareness.
“Modern cricket emphasizes aggression, but players still need to adapt to the situation in front of them. T20 isn’t just about playing the best shots—it’s about playing smart and winning the game.”
England will need to reassess their batting strategies as they approach the final T20 against India. With the series already lost, McCullum’s side must strike a balance between aggressive gameplay and situational awareness.
Key Takeaways:
✔️ Alastair Cook slams England batters for their shot selection. ✔️ Ben Duckett and Harry Brook singled out for ego-driven decisions. ✔️ England’s modern T20 mindset may be hindering smart cricketing decisions. ✔️ England must focus on balancing aggression with match awareness.
