Ben Stokes
Ben Stokes. Image Credits: Twitter

England all-rounder Ben Stokes might have returned to form by top-scoring for the visitors in the first innings of the final Test in Ahmedabad; however, it was not enough for them. Ben Stokes’ knock of 55 was crucial as it helped England reach 200 for the first time in five innings and ended the southpaw’s lean run of form. The New Zealand born all-rounder underlined that these were the most challenging batting conditions he ever faced.

Ben Stokes has risen to become one of the best all-rounders of the current era and proved as a game-changer for England in the past two years. The 29-year old began the four-match series in India promisingly, hitting a whirlwind 82 in the first innings of the opening Test. However, Stokes’ form started tapering off as the rubber progressed, affecting England’s chances at the same time. Nevertheless, he battled his way to 55 before Washington Sundar dismissed him with a straight delivery.

Ben Stokes (Getty)
Ben Stokes (Getty)

Ben Stokes, who has played more than 70 Tests thus far and worldwide, revealed that these are the hardest batting conditions he has faced. The seam-bowling all-rounder highlighted it’s a case of finding the solutions by doing the hard yards and take away lessons to come back stronger the next time. Stokes believes that when they look back on the current series, it would be about what they have learnt and how they have progressed.

I have played like 70 odd games now, these are the hardest conditions that I have faced as a batsman. Obviously, I have played all around the world. I think it is a case of finding it in your own way, it’s not about like you go and say ‘this is what we need to do better as a group’. It is about how we can go about it as individuals and when we come back here next time, (it will be about) how we progressed as individuals because everyone plays in a different way,” Stokes stated as quoted by Times Now.

I think it is probably a bit of both: Ben Stokes

Virat Kohli and Mohammed Siraj (BCCI)
Virat Kohli and Mohammed Siraj (BCCI)

Ben Stokes further pointed out that the pitch offered extra bounce instead of turn on the morning and afternoon followed by spinning a bit more later. Simultaneously, Stokes agreed it was a better wicket than experienced in the previous match alongside some excellent bowling and poor batting.

Read More  RCB vs KKR Weather Report Live Today And Pitch Report Of Chinnaswamy Stadium– IPL 2024, Match 10

“This morning and this afternoon, it was more about the bounce that was an issue rather than the turning in. But later in the day, the bowl started to spin a little bit more. Overall, it is a much better wicket than it was in the last game played here. I think it is probably a bit of both,” he added.

Also Read: I Didn’t Expect Mohammed Siraj To Be This Brilliant, Says Graeme Swann