Ben Stokes irritated by Jasprit Bumrah hype amid mounting pressure ahead of Lord’s Test

Captain Ben Stokes was clearly not in the mood for pleasantries after England’s humiliating 336-run loss to India in the second Test at Edgbaston. India has not only leveled the five-match Test series 1-1 but also left England searching for answers with their record-breaking victory.

As India’s biggest weapon with the ball, Jasprit Bumrah, is set to return for the third Test at Lord’s starting on July 10, Ben Stokes faced the question over the latter’s return. Notably, Bumrah was rested for the second Test at Edgbaston as part of the team’s workload management process.

Ben Stokes is irritated over Jasprit Bumrah's talk after the 336-run humiliation

Despite not having their dangerous fast bowler, the Indian cricket team shattered England’s hopes with dominant batting from captain Shubman Gill and lethal bowling from Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep at Edgbaston. Now, the focus quickly shifted to Bumrah’s return at Lord’s.

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When asked about Bumrah in the post-match press interaction, the visibly irritated England skipper was not really happy with the repeated chatter around the Indian speedster. The psychological edge seems to be firmly in India’s favor, and it's confirmed by Stokes’ response.

We play against each other so often: Ben Stokes on facing Jasprit Bumrah at Lord's

Ben Stokes at the post-match press conference: “I thought I’d get through a press conference without being asked about Jasprit Bumrah. We play against each other so often; you know what you will be faced with, so you put it into practice in training.”

The England captain further added, “Try to do what you can with the coaches and the sidearms, going wide on the crease, trying to give you practice like their bowling lineup. It’s always tough to replicate something that will come down at you in a game.”

Ben Stokes plays it safe on Jofra Archer's return for the Lord’s Test

Meanwhile, Stokes kept tight lips about Jofra Archer’s return for the third Test against India at Lord’s. He said the pacer has been training with the squad to build up his workload, but a final decision will depend on how everyone shapes up before the crucial Lord’s Test.

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The star all-rounder further noted, “Again, it’ll be a decision that we have to make, seeing how everyone pulls up. We’ve had him here this week to get around the group and build him up with his workloads. Everyone’s in consideration for the game at Lord’s.”

Ben Stokes plays down England's heavy defeat at Edgbaston

The England captain called for calm and balance in the dressing room after their crushing 336-run defeat against India at Edgbaston. He admitted that the team has seen both big highs and tough lows but stressed the importance of staying grounded and reminded his side that they already expected a fierce battle against India and that one result won’t define the Test series.

Stokes signed off by saying, “We’ve had some unbelievable wins and some bad defeats. I feel I’m quite good, and the team is quite good at staying level throughout those ups and downs. We knew coming into the series it wasn’t going to be easy.”