Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has taken a sharp dig at England’s Test side, calling them “paper tigers” after their humiliating 1-4 Ashes defeat against Australia. Writing in his column for Sportstar, Gavaskar launched a scathing critique of Ben Stokes, Brendon McCullum, and the English team’s decline under the much-hyped “Bazball” philosophy, suggesting that media-driven hype has outpaced the team’s actual results.

“England are more paper tigers than real ones”

Gavaskar minced no words as he dissected England’s latest Ashes failure, claiming the result was not surprising to seasoned cricket followers outside of England.

“England’s performances in most sports are a huge let-down when set against the write-ups their teams receive from people who have hardly, if ever, played any sport at the highest level. The disappointment, therefore, is far greater when the teams show that they are more paper tigers than real ones.”

He added that England’s 4-1 capitulation in the Ashes was hardly unexpected, especially considering how tough it is for touring teams to win in places like Australia and India.

“England’s capitulation to Australia by a 4-1 margin was, therefore, not really a surprise for the non-English. It is extremely tough for visiting teams to win a Test series anywhere, especially in Australia and India.”

Gavaskar also pointed out that even dominant teams like India have faced their share of comprehensive defeats — citing India’s losses to New Zealand (2024) and South Africa (2025) as reminders that every team has weaknesses in foreign conditions.

“Bazball’s surprise effect has worn off”

While appreciating England coach Brendon McCullum’s initial impact after taking over in 2022, Gavaskar argued that the so-called “Bazball” revolution has now been figured out by opponents.

“McCullum brought freshness to England’s cricket, and that took the rest of the cricketing world by surprise. Gone was the dreary, dull cricket they played, and suddenly, the opposition did not know how to counter it. However, the surprise wore off. Once teams realised that England had little answer whenever the ball deviated, provided the pitches were not flat, the problems became evident.”

He further criticised England’s batting approach, saying the players’ refusal to adapt to conditions and their reckless shot selection show a lack of accountability.

“With the management also ignoring some of the unforgivable and irresponsible shots played by the batters, the fear of being left out simply is not there anymore. Valuing playing for your country and putting a minimum price of a century on your wicket is something only the great Joe Root does. The others could not be bothered, as they knew they were unlikely to be left out of the squad.”

“Fearless cricket has become couldn’t-care-less cricket”

In his trademark blunt style, Gavaskar took aim at what England’s media calls “fearless cricket”, suggesting it’s more about negligence than bravery. He also highlighted how the financial security of central contracts and franchise cricket might have eroded the hunger and focus needed for the longest format.

“What the media calls fearless cricket today often looks more like couldn’t-care-less cricket. With guaranteed central contracts and the various T20 leagues around the world, there is no worry about how to put food on the table, unlike earlier times when losing a Test place meant going back to mundane first-class cricket where one hardly earned enough.”

“Did they really give it everything?”

Gavaskar concluded by questioning the temperament and commitment of England’s players during the latest Ashes debacle.

“How many in the England team that lost the Ashes series can put their hands on their hearts and say that they gave it everything — not just physically but temperamentally? You tell me.”

His stinging remarks come at a time when Ben Stokes’ leadership and McCullum’s coaching philosophy are under scrutiny back home, with critics calling for England to re-evaluate their approach ahead of their next Test assignments.