Not many gave England even half a chance to win in India after they were battered and bruised on the last tour. But England Cricket Team under Brendon McCullum-Ben Stokes are different. That they haven’t lost a Test series during their tenure is a testament of that fact. In Hyderabad, in the IND vs ENG 1st Test, England showed glimpses of eternal struggle in the 1st innings to concede a 192-run lead. Yet, Ollie Pope erased that deficit with a sublime 196. And England won by 28 runs.
Ben Stokes regarded win in IND vs ENG 1st Test as the greatest triumph in sub-continent.
“Since I have taken captaincy on, we have had a lot of fantastic moments. This victory is probably 100% our greatest triumph,” Ben Stokes said at the post match presentation.
Ben Stokes learnt from Rohit Sharma
Ben Stokes isn’t new to Indian conditions. He is loved in India more than he is loved in England. But Test cricket is different. And as a captain, he studied how Rohit Sharma set the field, his bowling changes to deliver England a famous victory.
“It’s my first time coming here and being a captain. I am a great observer of the game. I watched how Indian spinners operated, how Rohit set the field. Absolutely thrilled for everyone,” Ben Stokes said.
Thrilled for Pope & Hartley
While not many considered a debutant and a struggler to be England’s heroes, two Englishmen quietly scripted history. Ollie Pope with 196 which perhaps is the best batting display in India in over a decade and Tom Hartley who bagged 7/62 after going 5.20 runs an over in the first innings. And Ben Stokes hailed England’s two heroes.
“Hartley to get nine wickets and Pope after his shoulder surgery. Tom came into the squad for the first time. We gave them a lot of confidence. I was willing to give him longer spells. We completely back people who we have selected. The situation we found ourselves in, the shots he played, 190 on such a wicket, he was able to manipulate the field, that’s the greatest innings ever played in subcontinent by an English batter. I don’t fear failure, I try to encourage whoever is in the squad,” Ben Stokes added.
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