Ben Stokes, after England’s Headingley win, gave credit to his team’s approach, highlighting their attitude and the simplicity of their strategy. He spoke about the team’s commitment, especially given the early pressure from the Indian batsmen. Stokes emphasized that dismissing the Indian team with limited runs in both innings played a crucial role in the first Test. England managed to chase down a substantial target of 371 runs to defeat Shubman Gill’s team, taking a 1-0 lead in the 5-match series.
“It was all about our attitude and commitment, day in and day out. That’s what we focused on. Both teams played quality cricket, a great way to start the series,” Stokes mentioned. He also pointed out that their ability to dismiss the Indian tail-enders significantly contributed to the successful chase. Discussing his partnership with coach Brendon McCullum, Stokes described their approach as simple and calm. “We’re a very simple-minded pair… We just try to keep everything as simple and as calm as we possibly can,” he said. He finished by saying that a relaxed environment was crucial for the players during the chase, with the team’s focus being clear: to bat through the remaining overs and secure the victory.