England’s all-rounder Ben Stokes was disappointed with his team’s batting performance on the opening day of the fourth Test match as they were skittled out for a sub-par score of 205 after winning the toss and electing to bat first at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Thursday. Stokes believes the visitors should have scored more than 300 runs on that pitch as it is way better than the third match track.
However, England failed to get a long partnership as Indian spinners once again breathed down the neck of the tourists. The visitors lost three early wickets and were put on the backfoot. Stokes then added a 48-run alliance with Jonny Bairstow before the latter was plumbed in front of the stumps by Mohammed Siraj.
Stokes top-scored with 55 runs before he was also dismissed LBW whereas Daniel Lawrence scored 46 runs for England. Ollie Pope also got off to a start as he scored 29 but failed to convert it into a substantial score.
The last two Test matches’ pitches have been challenging for the visitors and they had looked at sea while batting on them. However, there were no batting demons on the opening day of the fourth Test but England failed to make the most of the conditions.
Stokes said in the post-match press conference, “We’re more than capable of scoring at least 300 on that pitch. It’s frustrating, but we can’t dwell on it too much. Overall, it’s a much better wicket than the last time we played here”.
Axar Patel once again troubled the tourists as he scalped four wickets whereas Ravichandran Ashwin bagged three scalps. Mohammed Siraj took a brace, including the big wicket of England captain Joe Root. Washington Sundar also played his part as he removed the dangerous-looking Ben Stokes.
England will be disappointed with their mundane batting performance as the conditions were conducive for batting. India finished the day at 24-1 and the hosts’ trail by 181 runs.
The Virat Kohli-led team needs to either win or draw the ongoing Test to qualify for the final of the ICC World Test Championship whereas England are already knocked out of the race. If England wins, Australia qualifies for the final.
