Following the conclusion of England's Test tour of India, which culminated in a defeat by innings and 64 runs in the fifth and final game at the HPCA Stadium, captain Ben Stokes candidly acknowledged that his team was surpassed by the superior side in the series, which concluded with a 4-1 scoreline favoring the hosts.
Stokes reflected on England's inability to seize upon crucial moments that could have altered the series' outcome. Despite claiming victory in the series opener at Hyderabad by 28 runs with their aggressive approach, England faltered in the subsequent four matches.
"We've been outplayed by the stronger team throughout the series. With a packed cricket schedule ahead, we're eager to move forward. Reflecting on the series, we recognize those pivotal moments where we faltered," remarked Stokes post-match.
Discussing India's bowling dominance, Stokes emphasized the necessity of thwarting their aggressive tactics and maintaining a positive mindset amidst pressure. He stressed the importance of taking calculated risks, even though they occasionally resulted in setbacks.
Stokes also highlighted some positives from England's campaign in India, such as the consistent opening partnership of Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, and the impressive performances of young spinners Tom Hartley and Shoaib Bashir.
"Crawley and Duckett's partnership at the top of the order, along with the emergence of Bashir and Hartley, were bright spots for us. Additionally, seeing Root regain form towards the end of the series bodes well for our upcoming summer fixtures," Stokes noted optimistically.
Concluding his remarks, Stokes paid tribute to veteran fast bowler James Anderson, who reached the milestone of 700 Test wickets during day three's play in Dharamshala. "It's been incredible sharing the field with Jimmy. Achieving 700 wickets as a seamer is truly remarkable. From his early days in cricket to where he stands now, his unwavering desire and commitment are unparalleled. Jimmy remains the fittest cricketer I've ever encountered," praised Stokes.
