India vs England 2021: Ben Stokes Ready To Do Whatever He Can To Secure A Win In Joe Root's 100th Test - Ben Stokes

England all-rounder, Ben Stokes is desperate to win the ongoing Chennai Test match against India. A victory in the first of the four-Test match series will not only gain the visitors a lead but will also keep them alive in the race to reach the final of the World Test Championship at Lord’s.

Ben Stokes would want to do it for his captain and close friend, Joe Root, who is playing in his 100th Test for England. Root has notched up his 20th Test ton on Friday on Day 1 and became only the 9th player to reach a three-digit score in his 100th Test match. The southpaw reckons a victory over Virat Kohli’s team in its own backyard would be a perfect way to celebrate Root’s momentous Test match.

“I’ll certainly be doing whatever I can with bat, ball and in the field over the next five days to try and secure the win that we all desperately want in the first Test against India. It would be the perfect way to round off a very special few days for Joe (Root),” Ben Stokes said.

Couldn’t be more proud to be his vice-captain: Ben Stokes

Before the start of the play, it was Ben Stokes handed Joe Root his 100th Test cap. Stokes, who is the vice-captain of the team, says that Root is not only a great batsman but also a gem of a person – Stokes has been grateful to Root for sticking with him during his tough time when the all-rounder was involved in a court case for his fight outside a bar in Bristol.

“What a proud thrill it was to be asked to present our captain Joe Root with his 100th cap in a team gathering before the game. These are special moments that you carry with you through your career and it was great to be able to mark the moment with a few heartfelt words.

“For most people, Joe is an incredible athlete, one of the very best batsmen the game has seen, and an inspirational captain and leader. But for some he is also just Joe who is a kind and thoughtful person and a down to earth lad from Sheffield who happens to be really good at cricket,” Stokes wrote in a column for the Guardian.

Stokes, who smashed a fifty in the first session of Day 2 in Chennai, is proud to be the deputy to Joe Root and vows to take England cricket forward – the Three Lions host India for a 5-match Test series at home after the current series and later in the year they travel to Australia for the Ashes.