After England's comprehensive 336-run defeat to India in the second Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, captain Ben Stokes acknowledged that the Edgbaston pitch ultimately played more to India's strengths, particularly praising Shubman Gill's exceptional batting performance. The loss levels the five-match series at 1-1, with India securing their biggest ever away Test victory.
Speaking after the match on Sunday, Stokes pointed to two critical junctures where England faltered. "Tough one. Two moments. Having them at 200/5 and not being able to burst them open. And then being 80/5 in our reply to India's big 1st innings, there is obviously going to be tough to be able to scrape it back from there," he stated.
He elaborated on the evolving nature of the pitch. "As the game got deeper and deeper, it sort of turned into a wicket, probably suited India more than us, to be honest." Stokes conceded that failing to capitalise when India were 200/5 in their first innings was a missed opportunity that could have altered the game's course.
The England captain was quick to credit the opposition, particularly Shubman Gill, who had an "unbelievable game with the bat." Stokes admitted the difficulty of wrestling back momentum against a "class team" filled with "world-class performers."
Despite the challenging result, Stokes highlighted the promising performance of Jamie, who has been "incredible since he came into the team." He lauded Jamie's exceptional batting and wicket-keeping, noting how he, alongside Harry, managed to "wrestle the momentum back towards us," a moment Stokes found "very, very special to watch from the dressing room."
Looking ahead, Stokes emphasised the need for his team to "reset on everything" before the third Test at Lord's. England's bowlers, who "run in hard all week," also face a period of recovery after a physically demanding match in the field.
