'Doesn't Look Great, But...': Ben Stokes Finds Silver Lining in Series Defeat vs IND
Ben Stokes & Brendon McCullum (Twitter)
England faced a setback in their brilliant journey under captain Ben Stokes as they conceded their first series defeat under his leadership. In a close encounter during the fourth Test in Ranchi, India secured a five-wicket victory, chasing down a challenging target of 192. The match reached a critical point when India was struggling at 120/5, but Shubman Gill and Dhruv Jurel steered the team to a victory with a fighting partnership of 72 runs.
Stokes lauds England's effort in challenging India series despite defeat
Despite the series loss, Stokes expressed his admiration for the team's character and determination throughout the four matches. He highlighted that, given the circumstances, competing against a formidable Indian team was a significant challenge, yet the English side managed to put up a commendable fight, especially in the fourth Test.
Stokes remarked that although the series scoreline of 3-1 might not reflect it, the spirit and aggression with which England confronted India were noteworthy.
"3-1 doesn't look great, but the way in which we've come at 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," said Stokes while speaking to English reporters.
Ben Stokes further acknowledged the young and relatively inexperienced composition of his team, which had seen considerable success in the past two years but found the Indian tour to be a formidable challenge. He praised his team's response to the adversities faced during the series and commended the players for their relentless effort and courage against the hosts.
"This young, inexperienced team has been successful over the past two years, but coming to India is a completely different beast, something that this team hasn't been exposed to. The way in which we have reacted to everything, even being on the wrong end of three results, is something I'm incredibly proud of. I'm very proud of the way every player has thrown everything at India. No one has ever taken a backward step," added the southpaw.
Before this series, England, under the combined leadership of Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum, had an impressive track record, securing victories in 14 out of 18 matches. The team began the India tour with a promising win in the first Test in Hyderabad but failed to maintain their momentum, resulting in losses in the subsequent three Tests.
As they prepare for the fifth and final Test in Dharamshala starting on March 7, 2024, England will aim to conclude the series on a positive note, seeking redemption and a morale-boosting victory.
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