England suffered a five-wicket defeat at the hands of India in the fourth Test at JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi on Monday (February 26).

As a result, the Three Lions conceded an unassailable 3-1 lead to India in the five-match series. It was their first Test series loss in the ‘Bazball’ era.

In the wake of the series loss, England skipper Ben Stokes expressed satisfaction in his team’s ability to compete against India on their home turf and deliver quality Test cricket.

Stokes' perspective has been widely backed by the English media hailing England's fighting approach, albeit the outcomes did not favour them.

However, former India cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra slammed the British media for selling a false narrative and gave them a reality check for not addressing the root cause behind England’s defeat.

Taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Chopra wrote: "England lost many 'absolutely critical' phases in this Test series...phases where they needed to simply consolidate their position. Phases where they needed to build on the advantage. But that's the not the narrative that sells...what sells with the British media is that 'Nobody gave us a chance' 'Nobody beats India in India' 'See...we ran them close'.”

“English middle-order (barring Pope and Root in one innings each) has capitulated on good pitches. Address that elephant in the room...but for that first admit that there's an elephant in the room," he added.

Following the Test series loss, Stokes told British media: "3-1 doesn't look great, but the way in which we've come to India is what I'm most proud of."

"We didn't have a chance in hell of even competing with India. But even today (Monday), that wasn't an easy win for India, and I think they would admit that," he added.

Chasing 192 to win, India found themselves struggling at 120/5 in Ranchi but the duo of Shubman Gill (52*) and Dhruv Jurel (39*) stitched an unbroken 72-run partnership to take the home team over the finishing line.

Earlier, India had humiliated England in the second and third Tests by 106 runs and 434 runs at Vizag and Rajkot respectively.

Both the teams will now face each other in the dead-rubber fifth Test match at Dharamsala from March 7.