England's fortunes took a downturn after their promising 28-run victory in the first Test against India in Hyderabad. Despite displaying resilience, England suffered consecutive defeats in the next three Tests against a formidable Indian side in the ongoing five-match Test series.
Consequently, the England cricket team will return home without the trophy, and their search for Test series win in India will continue since the 2012 tour.
Well, they have already lost the Test series 1-3 to India, but England captain Ben Stokes stressed that they are taking the final Test with the same intensity.
Ahead of the fifth and final Test in Dharamshala, starting on March 7, Stokes said that they are not thinking about home despite featuring in five Tests over 48 days. The skipper also said that they are heading to the Dharamshala Test with the aim of finishing the India tour with a big win.
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Ben Stokes told media ahead of 5th Test in Dharamshala: “Well, it's like whenever we play. We want to win this week. It's not a mental or a mentality thing. All you can do is work your hardest and try your nuts off in the nets because that's where you get better. We've been on so many India tours, you know what it's like when you get to an end of a long one. Sometimes you start thinking about the end of the game.”
Stokes continued, “I don't think that anyone is thinking like that because every opportunity we feel at the moment is special to play for England. (Just) because we've lost the series, it doesn't mean that this game is different to what last week was or the week before. We'll think about the plane and getting home when we're in the airport. So, I won't be thinking about that whatsoever until the game's done.”
England captain also lent his support to struggling batter Jonny Bairstow, who managed only 170 runs from his eight innings in the ongoing Test series so far.
Stokes noted, “Playing for England means so much to Jonny and means so much to his family as well and to play over 100 ODIs, 100 Tests, a lot of cricket for England. It means a hell of a lot to him. He deserves everything that gets spoken about him in the build-up to the game and throughout the week as well.”
England fast bowler Ollie Robinson, who failed to take any wickets in his sole appearance during the Test series in Ranchi, received backing from Stokes. However, Robinson couldn’t take a wicket, but he showcased his batting prowess by scoring a gritty fifty in the first innings.
Stokes lauded Robinson's resilience, as he was determined to contribute to team despite struggling with a back injury. He stated, “You are more gutted for Ollie that something on day one, his back going, which affects the role he can play in the long run.”
Stokes signed off by saying, “He is more disappointed that he couldn't help the team out as much as he'd like. The thing to look at is that he was out on the field, trying to influence the game even though he wasn't feeling 100% (fit). A lesser man would have put their hands up, walked away, and not even tried.”
(With ICC Inputs)
