England all-rounder Ben Stokes on Monday (February 22) rubbished the constant talk around spin-friendly pitches in India, saying Test players should be capable of handling all sorts of conditions.
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A number of former cricketers from England and Australia, including Michael Vaughan and Mark Waugh, have termed the Chepauk track for the second Test as "under-prepared".
However, India managed to post 600+ runs on the same strip across the two innings in which England got bowled out for 134 and 164 respectively to suffer a 317-run defeat.
"The thing about being a Test batsman is that you need to be able to handle all types of conditions. India is one of the places where it is a lot tougher for overseas batsmen to come and be successful, but then so too is England," Stokes wrote in a column for 'Daily Mirror'.
“And that is part of the game, the challenges and why we love it," he added.
Stokes bowled only two overs in the second Test and questions were raised over his utility, but the all-rounder isn’t reading too much into it.
"Don't read too much into the fact that I didn't bowl a huge amount in the second game, I'm sure if it was a green seamer I would have bowled a lot more overs.
"I think there may be more reason for me to bowl under lights in the next game if it will help the team."
Keeping in mind the ICC World Test Championship final, the remaining two Tests between India and England hold great significance.
While the hosts need to win at least one more match and draw the other if they are to qualify for the final, England ought to win both the remaining games.
Ahead of the third Test which will be played under lights, Stokes wondered how the revamped Motera strip would behave.
"Generally around the world whenever these pink ball games are played there is always a period when the ball starts doing a bit under lights and it brings the seamers right into the game," he wrote.
"For us out here that will be massive. And at a brand new ground that looks pretty impressive no-one will know just how it will react.
"We've got a good spin department, but hopefully with conditions that suit, we've certainly got a seam department to back them up strongly."
Stokes said the current side is taking inspiration from the English team that won the series in India in 2012.
"There aren't too many teams who come away from India with a series win. The lads from 2012 are rightly proud of their achievement and the rest of us want to join Rooty, Jonny, Jimmy and Broady in achieving it for ourselves, and what a chance we've got," the 29-year-old said.
(With PTI inputs)
