England succumbed to a crushing 434-run defeat in the third Test at Rajkot.
Chasing 557 to win, England’s fourth innings folded for a paltry 122 in 39.4 overs. It was a listless batting display as no one managed to score a half-century. Fast bowler Mark Wood was the top scorer with 33.
With this embarrassing loss, the Three Lions conceded a 2-1 lead to the hosts in the five-match Test series. While to road looks tough for the visitors, skipper Ben Stokes is confident of his team’s comeback to claim a 3-2 victory in the series.
"Everyone's got a perception and opinion about things," Stokes said in the post-match presser. "But again, the people in the dressing-room's are the opinions that really matter to us.
"We know that things don't always work out exactly how you want it to, but at 2-1 down in the series, still got two games left, so we've got a great chance to come home with the trophy at 3-2.
"We'll make sure that we're moving on and focusing on what we've got coming up ahead, because games can be won and lost in the head. We'll be leaving all the emotion and disappointment from this week, and moving on to the next one."
Veteran batter Joe Root has come under severe scrutiny for his dismissal while attempting a reverse ramp shot in England’s first innings at Rajkot.
Stokes' departure for 41 in the first essay, caught in the deep while trying to hit Ravindra Jadeja for a maximum, also drew criticism.
However, the England skipper emphasized that it was important for them to play rapidly in the first innings as they had to bat last on an increasingly spin-friendly pitch.
"If you look at the situation we found ourselves in going into day three, to give ourselves a chance of winning we had to try and press the button after the lunch break," Stokes said. "They got some quick wickets, so we had to absorb the pressure that India threw at us there. But me personally, I sensed that as an opportunity after lunch to go out and have 'one of my days out', we'll call it.
"I've got an unbelievable belief in myself that I can do that," he added. "Just like I have an unbelievable belief in every individual in there that, on their day, they can turn the game in our favour. We wanted to be bowling at the back end of day three, that came a lot earlier than we wanted to, but that's how some things go. Nothing goes your way all the time."
Ben Stokes had special praise reserved for India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, who slammed a blistering double hundred (214* off 236) in the second innings to put the home team in a commanding position.
"Every game has been filled with multiple, unbelievable things to be able to witness as a supporter," Stokes said. "Jaiswal's double-hundred was, honestly, it was just phenomenal to watch it, even though we're on the wrong side of it. Obviously we're very disappointed to be on the wrong side of the result, but one thing we're very good at as a team, and also myself, has been able to leave everything that's gone behind us."
The penultimate Test is scheduled to be held in Ranchi from February 23.
(With ESPNCricinfo inputs)