Brendon McCullum says Test series against India will be real test for ‘Bazball’ | Cricket News

England’s Test cricket head coach Brendon McCullum believes the upcoming five-match Test series against India is going to be a big challenge for his team.
England will travel to India in January next year to play a five-match Test series. The first Test will starting from January 25 in Hyderabad, followed Vishakhapatnam, Rajkot, Ranchi and Dharmsala.
“We have got a huge challenge against a very good Indian team in five tests in India,” McCullum said at the RCB Innovation Lab’s Leaders Meet India in Bengaluru.
“I am excited about it because you want to test yourself against the best side and I genuinely believe that India is the best in their own condition.
“It is going to be a good challenge for us. If we have success then fabulous, if we don’t then I know we will go down in the style that we want to go down.”
The former New Zealand captain also expressed his thoughts on the essence of Bazball and what it stands for.
“We are playing the game, because we love cricket and we want to try and be as good at cricket as we possibly can,” he said.
“During the time that you are in the chair, you want to make sure you enjoy it and you shouldn’t wait till the end of your career to do so.
“We are very lucky that we have had some immediate success but I don’t think it is the ceiling for us. I think we have seen some guys who have unlocked their potential in the last 18 months or so and that’s what the job is as a leader; to get the most out of the people that you’re in charge of.”
McCullum also recalled his unbeaten knock of 158 off 73 balls in the very first IPL game, which set the tone of the tournament.
“The reason why I daydream about that moment is because it literally changed my life.
“I was just a cricketer for New Zealand, where no one really knew what you did where you’re from, or what you’re capable of.
“But that day provided the platform, the forum, and the opportunity to change my life,” he said.