England’s Stokes: No Easy Ride Against India, Despite Key Absences

Ben Stokes, the England captain, has dismissed suggestions that the upcoming Test series against India will be an easy task. He acknowledged the absence of star players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravichandran Ashwin but stressed that India’s talent pool remains formidable. Stokes, drawing on his experience in the IPL, highlighted the skills of India’s younger players. He acknowledged the challenge posed by Jasprit Bumrah, even with his likely limited participation. Stokes emphasized that the team’s focus is on the five Tests ahead, which is also the start of England’s World Test Championship campaign, and the first home test of the ‘Bazball’ strategy against India.