Stokes Calls India Series Draw "Fair," Hails Impact on Test Cricket

Stokes Reflects on Hard-Fought Series Draw Against India

Ben Stokes, the England captain, has lauded the intense competition and high-quality cricket showcased in the recent 2-2 series draw against India. Despite the disappointment of missing out on a series victory, Stokes acknowledged the fairness of the final result after India's thrilling six-run win in the fifth Test at The Oval. He described the series as one of the most captivating he has been involved in.

Stokes felt that series was a great advertisement for Test cricket © Getty

"This series, even before this game, saw all four matches going to five days. It's been toe-to-toe for 25 days, with two very good teams throwing everything at each other," Stokes commented. "From a cricket fan's point of view, a 2-2 draw is probably fair. We're obviously disappointed not to have achieved the series win, and there's some frustration there."

A Boost for Test Cricket

Missing the final Test due to a shoulder injury, the England skipper emphasized the series' significance for the future of Test cricket. He stated, "As a massive advocate for this format, this series can hopefully dispel the narrative that Test Cricket is dying. I'm disappointed from a playing point of view, but as a promoter of the game, this series has been fantastic."

Brook's Century and England's Chase

Stokes particularly praised Harry Brook's century, which ignited England's hopes of chasing down a target of 374. Brook (111) and Joe Root (105) forged a crucial 195-run partnership for the fourth wicket, propelling England past 300 on Day 4 and putting them in a commanding position. However, a spirited comeback by India saw England finish Day 4 at 339/6.

Discussing the chase and Brook's innings, Stokes noted, "374 was a large total, but the wicket changed significantly from Day 1 and Day 2. We knew that if any of our lads got in, we'd have a good chance. Harry put the Indian bowlers under immense pressure, disrupting their ability to consistently bowl in their desired areas."

Defending Brook's Dismissal

Brook's dismissal, attempting a shot over cover off Akash Deep, led to some criticism. Stokes defended the young batsman, saying, "Everyone was applauding him when he brought up his 100 in that manner. Some of his shots were unbelievable, and the dismissal was a shot we've seen him play a lot in that innings, which was getting a lot of praise."

Woakes' Bravery and Team Spirit

The England captain also lauded the courage of Chris Woakes, who batted at No. 11 despite a shoulder injury. He described it as a testament to the dedication and grit displayed by players from both sides throughout the series.

"It was never a question for him not to go out there. He's in a lot of discomfort, even running between the wickets. We've seen guys like Rishabh Pant bat with a broken foot, and Shoaib Bashir bowl and field with a broken finger. Chris going out there today to try and get his team over the line with a dislocated shoulder highlights the energy and effort put into this series by both teams," Stokes said.

Respect for Siraj

Stokes acknowledged the outstanding performance of Mohammed Siraj, whose relentless pressure throughout the series earned his admiration. "I've always had great respect for Mohammed Siraj as a competitor. He just keeps coming. He's always going to be in the fight with you. This game, in particular, just kept going. I've always admired the way Mohammed Siraj approaches his cricket. Fair play to him."

Comparisons to the 2023 Ashes

Reflecting on where this series ranks among those he's participated in, Stokes drew parallels with the 2023 Ashes series. "It's been a pretty special one, full of ups and downs. India have been in control, we've been in control. To experience five games like this has been pretty special."

He concluded, "We had a similar situation here in '23 with the Ashes, where we had to come here and win the game. That was another special series, also ending 2-2. It's been awesome to be a part of. There's still a lot of disappointment, but for the game itself, this series has been great for promoting Test cricket."