NEW DELHI: England’s Test captain, Ben Stokes, expressed pride in his team’s determined performance despite suffering a series defeat against India. India secured a five-wicket victory in the fourth Test, sealing the series 3-1, marking a significant milestone as England’s first Test series loss under Stokes’ leadership and head coach Brendon McCullum.
“3-1 doesn’t look great, but the way in which we’ve come at India is what I’m most proud of,” Stokes remarked, acknowledging the formidable challenge posed by the hosts while emphasizing England’s competitive spirit throughout the series.
“We didn’t have a chance in hell of even competing with India. But even today(Monday), that wasn’t an easy win for India, and I think they would admit that,” he added.Stokes lauded the team’s resilience, highlighting their efforts to fight back against the odds. He emphasized the invaluable learning experience gained by the young and inexperienced squad, particularly in navigating the unique challenges of playing in India.
“When you’ve got three world-class spinners operating in conditions like that, you know you’re going to be up against it,” Stokes admitted, acknowledging the challenge posed by India’s skillful bowling attack.

Reflecting on the pivotal moments of the match, Stokes highlighted the difficulty of playing against top-quality spinners in challenging conditions. He recognized the decisive period after lunch on the fourth day as crucial in shaping the outcome of the match, where India’s superior skill proved decisive.
“It was nigh on impossible to operate how we wanted to,” he added.
Stokes conceded the missed opportunities and areas for improvement within the team but remained optimistic about England’s ability to bounce back and learn from the experience.
“I’m very proud of the way every player has thrown everything at India. No one has ever taken a backward step,” Stokes said.
While acknowledging India’s dominance, Stokes remained confident in England’s ability to rise to the occasion in future challenges. He reiterated the team’s determination to continue fighting and learning, underscoring their resolve to overcome adversity and strive for success in future contests.

(With inputs from PTI)