Ben Stokes Opens Up On The Stunning Weight Loss England Players Sustained During The Final Test Against India

England’s ace all-rounder Ben Stokes has opened up on the exhausting effects of the fourth and final Test in Ahmedabad between India and England. Ben Stokes, who was England’s top run-scorer across both the innings during that game, had plenty of workload with the ball. He revealed that playing under 41 degrees heat in the series finale had made matters quite taxing.

India made 365 in the first innings in response to England’s total of 205, giving them a 160-run lead. England’s first innings capitulation followed yet another in the second as they failed to stand up to India’s spin bowlers. Even after winning the first Test convincingly, Joe Root’s men could not keep the leash on the home side, losing the four-match series by 3-1.

Ben Stokes claimed that players are entirely committed to playing for England since few of them going down to illness was a testament and playing at 41 degrees heat further made it taxing. The seam-bowling all-rounder revealed that he lost 5 kgs in a week, Dom Sibley shed 4 kgs, while veteran James Anderson melted off 3 kgs. On the other hand, Stokes stated that spinner Jack Leach ducked in and off between bowling spells, spending more time than ideal in the toilet.

“Players are totally committed to England and I think that was emphasised last week when a few of us went down with illness that made operating in 41 degree heat particularly taxing. I lost 5kg in a week, Dom Sibley 4kg and Jimmy Anderson 3kg among others. Jack Leach was ducking off the field in between bowling spells and spending more time than is ideal in the toilet,” Stokes said as quoted by India Today.

I wouldn’t want any player thinking they are not good enough to be here: Ben Stokes

Ben Stokes further said that it was a steep learning curve for England as it was a maiden India tour for most players. Nevertheless, how players bounce back from the same is crucial. The 29-year old conceded that no young cricketer, including Ollie Pope, Zak Crawley, Dom Sibley, should think they are not good enough to play at this level despite their underwhelming performances.

“For a lot of guys this was their first tour of India and it has been a steep learning curve, but that is part and parcel of being a cricketer at this level. The next test is how you react to those moments. I wouldn’t want any player, especially a young lad like Ollie Pope, Zak Crawley or Dom Sibley, leaving this tour and thinking they are not good enough to be here. They most definitely are,” he added.

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