ENG vs IND 2018: Don't Feel The Pressure Of Needing To Be Man Of The Match Every Game To Keep My Place: Chris Woakes

England allrounder Chris Woakes his denied feeling any pressure on his place after once delivering another impressive performance on day of the third England vs India Test.

Woakes would have definitely found it tough to break into the playing eleven for the ongoing series. Ben Stokes’ place in the side is guaranteed while Sam Curran’s performance in the first game was enough to guarantee him a place in the playing eleven for few games. Curran was the Man of the Match for his all round show in the series-opener. In the same game, Stokes fired England to the thrilling win with a decisive spell in the second innings.

But then Woakes got a god-sent chance. Stokes missed the second Test due to his affray trial and Woakes grabbed the opportunity with both the hands. He scored his maiden Test ton and picked up four wickets to bag the Man of the Match award at Lord’s. That performance helped him retain his place in the team when Stokes returned which saw Curran losing his place.

But speaking at the end of the day’s play at Trent Bridge, Woakes insisted he never worried about his place in the team.

“There is always pressure on you to perform whenever you put the England shirt on,” said Woakes.

“You know there’s always people knocking on the door. I suppose it is unfortunate for Sam to have missed out but when someone like Ben – a world-class all-rounder who has performed for the team for such a long period of time – comes back you can perhaps understand that decision.

“But I don’t feel the pressure of needing to be man of the match every game to keep my place, I just try to do my job, take wickets and score runs when I get the opportunity,” he added.

Woakes, nonetheless, once again proved his worth. After being asked to bat first, India were off to a good start. Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul added 60 runs for the first wicket.  But Woakes dismissed both the openers and Cheteshwar Pujara to leave India reeling at 82 for 3.

England, however, could not capitalise on it as India finished the first day on a commendable 307 for 6.

Woakes further said dismissing Virat Kohli was important.  The India skipper was looking well set before he played a expensive drive off Adil Rashid and ended up edging the ball to Ben Stokes at slip and missed his ton by just 3 runs.

“Virat is a world-class player and to get him out at any point in the game is important because he can go on and get big scores. He can get doubles, so it was a big wicket for us,” said Woakes.