England Captain Ben Stokes Hails ‘Best Victory’ Against India

England’s captain Ben Stokes lauded his team’s remarkable 28-run triumph over hosts India in the first test on Sunday, labeling it as their most significant victory during his leadership tenure.

Since assuming leadership alongside head coach Brendon “Baz” McCullum in 2022, England has embraced an ultra-aggressive strategy prioritizing entertainment over outcomes.

Under the dynamic duo’s stewardship, England secured test series victories at home against New Zealand and South Africa, while notably drawing the Ashes series against Australia last year.

Their victory in Pakistan showcased their distinctive “Bazball” approach, but doubts lingered over its effectiveness against India, who hadn’t lost a test series at home since 2012.

Reflecting on the win, Stokes emphasized its significance in the context of their precarious position after conceding a daunting first-innings lead of 190 runs. Vice-captain Ollie Pope’s magnificent 196 propelled England to a total of 420 in the second innings, setting India a challenging target of 231.

Debutant spinner Tom Hartley’s remarkable figures of 7-62 dismantled India’s batting lineup, sealing a thrilling victory for England.

Stokes hailed Pope’s exceptional innings as the finest by an English batsman in India’s spin-friendly conditions, elevating it above even the performances of stalwart Joe Root.

“We’ve been part of some amazing games over the last few years,” Stokes reflected on the game.

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“We’ve had some incredible victories but considering where we are and who we playing against, the position we found ourselves going into our second innings… it’s a big reason as to why I feel this is our best victory since I’ve been captain.”

Since becoming vice-captain, he’s done an incredible job,” Stokes remarked, praising Pope’s leadership contributions alongside his outstanding batting display.

“I’ve been lucky enough to see a lot of Joe Root innings in sub-continent conditions but unfortunately now he’s slipped down to two or three behind Popey.”

The skipper also lauded the resilience of left-arm spinner Hartley, who rebounded from a challenging first innings to play a pivotal role in England’s triumph. Additionally, Stokes commended spinner Jack Leach’s unwavering commitment despite nursing a knee injury sustained during fielding.

“He’s been an absolute warrior this week,” Ben Stokes said of Leach, emphasizing the team-first mentality and selflessness embodied by the spinner’s dedication.

In conclusion, England’s victory against India stands as a testament to their bold approach and collective resilience, epitomizing their ethos of prioritizing team success above individual accolades.