India vs England: The debate around 'Bazball' does not need to be revisited after every Test

Playing cards against Ben Stokes is not advisable.

Despite initially ruling out bowling on the tour of India, Stokes is now considering it.

This could not come at a better time, given England's poor performance in the third Test. Last time they suffered such a heavy defeat was when Don Bradman made a double century.

The defeat in Rajkot reignited the debate surrounding England's playing style, a topic that arises after every loss.

Although their performance was undoubtedly poor, the last two days were perhaps England's worst since Stokes assumed the captaincy. However, some of the criticism has been excessive, failing to acknowledge England's position less than two years ago.

Starting the series, a 2-1 scoreline after three Tests in India would have been considered a respectable result, even though we did not know at the time how weakened the Indian team would be or that England would have the opportunity to be 3-0 up. It is worth noting the absence of Harry Brook and Jack Leach.

It is possible to be a huge fan of England's approach and also demand more on the occasions when they could and should have done better.

It is not necessary for every Test to be a trial for Bazball. If fans want England to play in a significantly different manner, the team will need a new captain and coach.

Crearly there are areas for improvement, such as Jonny Bairstow needing to score to secure his place in the team for his 100th Test in Dharamsala next month. The batting unit must recognize the chance to take control of a Test match.

In Rajkot, India scored 875 runs, more than England had conceded in a Test for 70 years. This was not helped by dropped catches and inconsistent use of the DRS system.

Joe Root has been out of form, with six innings without a half-century, the longest since the tail end of his captaincy. His reverse scoop at Jasprit Bumrah in the first innings in Rajkot was a nadir.

In addition to the need for runs and rediscovering Root’s identity, he is also dealing with the frustration caused by England's increasing rhetoric.

Coach Brendon McCullum was recently questioned whether England wants a 'normal' Joe Root or a better one, suggesting that Root could benefit from a more aggressive approach.

While McCullum is a respected speaker, the idea that one of England's best batters needs to change his approach is questionable.

After the Rajkot match, Stokes made a comment comparing the score to the Ashes. Meanwhile, Duckett's statement about a chase being better with more people was widely mocked.

It is reasonable to do everything possible to remove any doubt.

Hopefully, there is room for honesty behind closed doors. Stokes and McCullum can be challenged if there is an opposing view.

Ultimately, the group of players may benefit from adopting the Ned Flanders approach, even if it rubs some people the wrong way.

In Ranchi, the hometown of MS Dhoni, any concerns from England about the pitching appear to have subsided. The discussion about including Dan Lawrence to bolster the batting has been replaced by the selection of two seamers and two spinners, which provides balance.

To force a decisive fifth Test and keep Stokes' unbeaten series record intact, England must win. India's decision to rest Bumrah theoretically gives England a better chance, but the hosts have been missing key players throughout and a new generation of stars has turned things around from a 1-0 deficit.

Ranchi, a relatively small city by Indian standards, is full to the brim, and some journalists have been evicted from their hotels.

Despite being in the spotlight, England has remained calm. Ollie Pope and Gus Atkinson play darts, although neither is skilled enough to defeat James Anderson. The group has enjoyed movie nights with a definite theme, featuring Old School, Step Brothers, and Austin Powers, reminiscent of early-2000s university halls of residence.

The main pastime is a thriving card school, with the game 500 being a favourite among Stokes and Mark Wood, who played it as youngsters at Durham. According to Stokes, he and Zak Crawley are the ones to beat.

Playing cards against Ben Stokes is not advisable. Regardless of what happened in Rajkot, Stokes and his team would remain fully committed to the Test in Ranchi.