England Captain Baffled by Unseen Pitch in Ranchi, Eyes Series Win
England captain Ben Stokes faces a unique challenge as he prepares for the fourth Test against India, starting Friday in Ranchi. The pitch at the Jharkhand State Cricket Association Stadium has left him perplexed, unlike anything he’s encountered before.
“I’ve never seen something like that before,” Stokes confessed. “One side looks different to the other, with cracks running down both ends just outside the off stumps. I have no idea what to expect.”
The unusual surface adds another layer of intrigue to an already tense series. England trail 2-1 and need a win to level the five-match contest and force a decider.
“It looked green and grassy from the dressing room, but walking out there, it’s a different story,” Stokes described. “Very dark, crumbly, and full of cracks.”
The England skipper’s selection headache goes beyond the pitch. James Anderson and Mark Wood, the pace duo in the heavy Rajkot defeat, might not be fully fit due to the scorching heat. Off-spinner Shoaib Bashir and all-rounder Ollie Robinson emerge as potential replacements.
Dan Lawrence, a batsman with part-time off-spin, could also be included if the team anticipates a low-scoring affair.
Ben Stokes expected to bowl in Ranchi
Adding another twist is Stokes’ own potential bowling return. After knee surgery in November, he initially ruled himself out but recently opened the door after bowling pain-free in the nets. A final decision on his bowling availability rests on how his knee reacts.
“It’s the longest I’ve bowled in six months,” Stokes acknowledged. “We’ll see how my body feels tomorrow.”
England endured heavy criticism after the Rajkot debacle, their worst defeat by runs since 1934. Stokes, however, remains unfazed.
“We win some, we lose some,” he said. “The next game is what matters. We’ll focus on putting up a better fight.”
With an unpredictable pitch and a series hanging in the balance, Ranchi promises an enthralling encounter. Whether England can overcome the challenge and force a decider remains to be seen.
