Ben Stokes and England suffered a crushing 434-run defeat at the hands of India in the third Test in Rajkot, but captain Stokes remains confident in his team’s approach. Despite losing eight wickets for only 95 runs in their first innings and being bowled out for 122 in their second, Stokes has emphasized that England’s batting lineup is full of international-class players who have the freedom to play their game.
This aggressive and swashbuckling style had previously led to England winning 14 of their previous 20 Tests under Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum. However, they crumbled in the face of India’s onslaught in Rajkot, allowing India to take a 2-1 lead in the series.
England’s collapse began on the third morning of the Test when they were 224-2 in reply to India’s 445. They failed to capitalize on their strong position, eventually allowing India to declare at 430-4 and set a daunting target of 557 for victory.
Despite the disappointing performance, Stokes remains optimistic and focused on the upcoming fourth Test in Ranchi. He emphasized the importance of leaving behind the emotions and disappointment of the previous defeat and focusing on the next challenge. Stokes, who has been recovering from knee surgery, also hinted at the possibility of returning to bowling, showing optimism and determination in the face of challenges.
Meanwhile, India’s captain Rohit Sharma praised the character of his team, particularly acknowledging the absence of experienced bowler Ravichandran Ashwin due to a family emergency.
The defeat represented England’s largest margin of defeat in terms of runs since 1934 and India’s largest victory ever. It also presents England with the challenge of avoiding defeat in the upcoming fourth Test to keep the series alive.
Despite the setback, England still have the opportunity to bounce back and become the first visiting team to win a Test series in India since 2012. Stokes remains hopeful that the team can recover from the defeat and put up a strong performance in the remainder of the series.
Overall, while England’s defeat in Rajkot was a significant blow, the focus is now on the next Test and the opportunity for redemption. The determination and resilience shown by both teams indicate that the upcoming Tests will be intense and closely contested battles.