Attempting to chase a formidable target of 399 on the challenging day four pitch in India proved to be a daunting task for England in the second Test. Despite falling short by 106 runs, Captain Ben Stokes commended his team's effort, emphasizing that the batters applied themselves and succeeded in exerting pressure on the Indian bowlers.
During Monday's play at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, England maintained an aggressive approach, epitomized by Zak Crawley's resilient 73. However, apart from Crawley, no other batter managed to surpass the 50-run mark in the fourth innings chase, resulting in India leveling the five-game series at 1-1.
Stokes expressed the team's confidence in their ability to chase down the target, highlighting their positive approach in tackling the challenge. Despite ending up on the losing side, he acknowledged India's victory and praised the competitive nature of the game.
"There are times when you have scoreboard pressure and a lot of runs to chase down, and that's when our approach and how we want to go about things really comes out," said Stokes, reflecting on the team's mindset during the chase.
Responding to questions about any specific guidance given to the batters before the chase, Stokes clarified that there were no predetermined instructions. He emphasized the players' ability to judge situations and conditions, noting that every member of the dressing room is a quality player.
Facing the challenge of a spin-bowling attack with limited experience, as Jack Leach was sidelined due to a knee injury, Stokes praised the performance of spinners Rehan Ahmed, Tom Hartley, and debutant Shoaib Bashir. Despite their limited Test experience, he commended their maturity and skills displayed during the match.
Stokes also lauded the exceptional bowling spells of James Anderson and Jasprit Bumrah, acknowledging the brilliance of both players. Despite being on the opposing side, he recognized Bumrah's talent while expressing admiration for Anderson's remarkable performance.
(With Agency Inputs)
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