As England prepare for the first Test of their five-match series against India, captain Ben Stokes has accepted that the lack of Indian greats Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and R. Ashwin will not make it any less demanding for the hosts.
Stokes is of the view that the deep pool of talent available in India guarantees a closely contested affair irrespective of any changes in personnel.
Rohit and Kohli retired from Test cricket last month, while Ashwin ended his international career during last year's Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Australia.
The Headingley series, starting Friday, also heralds a new chapter for India in the 2025–27 World Test Championship cycle as Shubman Gill heads the team into the future with the responsibility to replace some of India's finest Test cricketers.
"There's been a lot said about no Rohit (Sharma), no Virat (Kohli) and no Ashwin. That does not mean that we believe it's going to be any easier than it ever has been against India. The talent pool that Indian cricket has is just ginormous," Stokes said to the media on the eve of the first Test.
He made it clear that India's cricketing depth is such that even the new ones are a big challenge.". "So, while Virat, Rohit, and Ashwin have done incredible things for their nation on the pitch, that doesn't indicate that whoever's stepping in to fill those boots are going to be any less difficult to bowl that out back in just because of how large the talent pool is in India.". I've not been around much of the IPL, so I can only imagine how much of it there is. Clearly, three enormous names, three individuals who have done great things for their nation, but it won't be any easier for us because of those three big names out here," he further said.
Stokes also cleared that all of England's focus is at present on this series alone and not ahead of it. "Well, look, I think first and foremost, obviously it's five games against India that we're focusing on. We know it's going to be tough, as always against India. Five Test matches are very demanding on the body. So, yeah, we'll be focusing on these five games first," he said.
Discussing Chris Woakes' position as the pace leader in the first Test, Stokes approved of his consistency and impact on winning.
"Since I have been with Baz (Brendon McCullum), I don't think we have lost a game when Chris Woakes has played. Good to have him.".
"So, again, that just shows what a big asset a cricketer is to any side that he played for. I believe he, being the attack leader, is going to live off that responsibility. And, yeah, he's a good critic, as you know, the relentless that he has with the ball, whether that be a new ball or a ball," he said.
Stokes, who recently broke back into action having suffered a hamstring injury, said that he's in good nick, though perhaps with a slightly more measured pace in looking after himself.
"Physically, well, I mean, when I was 20, I didn't even know what stiffness or anything was. Obviously, now, 34, you know, everything is just naturally just a little bit harder to do," he grinned.
"But I've worked hard to be where I am today here and, you know, physically where I'm at. It's great, you know, ready to go and just a bit more sensible, I guess, about my build-up.". You know, put in the work for, you know, the first two days of training, two days prior, and then, you know, kind of very, very relaxed than like the day before, just to ensure that all is going to go come game day," he finished.
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