England captain Ben Stokes is optimistic of still making a comeback in the five-match Test series against India despite receiving a huge hammering loss of 434 runs at the Niranjan Shah Cricket Stadium, Rajkot on Sunday.
England were given a gargantuan target of 557 runs after India declared at 430-4 but the visitors could only manage 122 runs. None of the England batters could go past the 35-run mark in the second innings as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals.
England has been competitive in the first two Test matches but they were thoroughly dominated on the last two days at Rajkot by India. Stokes admitted that they could not execute their gameplans and it led to their downfall.
In fact, England were 224-2 in the first innings but were bundled out for 319 to concede a huge lead of 126 runs. Ben Duckett played a fabulous knock of 153 runs but the rest of the batters failed to contribute with the bat.
England’s middle-order hasn’t been at their best in the ongoing series and they will need to turn the tables in the remaining two games if they are to make a comeback in the series.
Ben Stokes said in the post-match presentation while talking to the host broadcasters, “Ben Duckett played an unbelievable innings. That was the tone we wanted to set throughout the innings. It was about identifying that opportunity and getting as close to India’s total. We wanted to bowl yesterday but it was earlier than when we wanted. Sometimes gameplans don’t work and that was the case.”
He added, “Everyone’s got a perception and opinion about things, the people in the dressing room is what matters to us. 1-2 down in the series and a great opportunity for us to come back and win the series. We leave this game behind and we know we have to win the next 2 games to win the series and that’s what we’ll look to do.”
India and England will next take on each other at JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi in the fourth Test match from Friday.
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