NEW DELHI: Former Australia captain Ian Chappell has delivered a scathing critique of England skipper Ben Stokes‘ captaincy, attributing India’s series-sealing victory in the fourth Test to a critical lapse in strategy at a pivotal juncture.
In his assessment, Chappell pointed out a pivotal moment in the fourth Test at Ranchi where Stokes’ decision-making came under scrutiny. According to Chappell, Stokes’ choice to utilize part-time spinner Joe Root instead of deploying the experienced Jimmy Anderson on the third evening of the Test allowed India to gain momentum, ultimately shifting the balance of the match in their favor.

Chappell articulated his viewpoint, stating, “On the third evening Stokes desperately needed to start India’s chase with his best two bowlers and try to claim at least one wicket. Incredibly, he gave the ball to a part-timer, Joe Root, and ignored the experienced, probing bowling of Jimmy Anderson.”

Furthermore, Chappell criticized Stokes’ approach on the final day, suggesting that his cautious field placings allowed India’s batsmen to accumulate easy singles, thereby making the chase more manageable for the hosts.
Reflecting on the missed opportunity, Chappell remarked, “The second innings should have been a time to force the Indian batters into taking a risk, but by allowing easy singles, Stokes gave his opponents the upper hand.”
Chappell also highlighted the need for instinctive decision-making in captaincy, suggesting that Stokes could benefit from studying the leadership style of seasoned captains like Pakistan’s Javed Miandad in demanding situations.
Chappell underscored the importance of bold and intuitive leadership, emphasizing that effective captaincy often relies on gut instincts rather than rigid adherence to statistical analysis or theoretical frameworks.
(With inputs from IANS)