India v England: Ben Stokes warns against writing his side off despite 4-1 series loss

Captain Ben Stokes says anyone writing him or his England team off after their 4-1 series defeat in India does so “at your own peril”.

England lost four matches after winning the first Test to suffer a first series defeat under Stokes’ captaincy.

“We will use this as the inspiration to become a better team,” said Stokes “That is the mentality that we have.”

“Use it as fuel,” the all-rounder added. “I’ve been through a lot of ups and downs, that’s what playing 100 Test matches throws at you. Ups and downs, making sure that I use those down moments to work even harder.

“I always feel like I can’t work any harder, but I’ll come away from this tour, go home and work even harder than what I have done out here for the summer coming up.”

Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum presided over a huge upturn in England’s fortunes when they took charge in 2022. Inheriting a team that won only one of its previous 17 Tests, Stokes and McCullum won 10 of their first 11 Tests as a leadership duo.

But since then England have lost seven of their past 12 matches and are three series without a win. The 1-1 draw in New Zealand was followed by a one-off success against Ireland, before a 2-2 draw in the Ashes and now this heavy loss.

“We have been outplayed by the better team,” 32-year-old Stokes told BBC Sport. “I’m a big enough person and the team is big enough to say that.

“Cricket is a tough game. It can eat you up, lead you astray or make you a better player. We’re very disappointed, but write this team off, write me off at your own peril.”

England’s swashbuckling style of play, particularly in the successful home summer of 2022, was labelled ‘Bazball’ after McCullum’s nickname.

“The media use the name Bazball – everyone says ‘What is it?’,” said Stokes. “In my opinion it’s wanting to be a better player. In the face of defeat and failure, Bazball will hopefully inspire people to become better players and become even better than what we are.”

After bowling India out for 477 on the third morning in Dharamsala, England needed 259 to make the home side bat again.

But the tourists slumped to 113-6 through misplaced attempts at aggression. Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope and Ben Foakes were all guilty off ugly strokes against off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who marked his 100th Test with 5-77.

Joe Root made 84 before being last out as England were dismissed for 195.

“The lads go out there with plans and try to implement those,” said Stokes. “When that comes with risk that can sometimes be your downfall. Everyone goes out there with intentions but it doesn’t always pay off.”

Pace bowler James Anderson took the first India wicket to fall on Saturday morning to become the first pace bowler reach 700 Test wickets. The 41-year-old had Kuldeep Yadav caught behind some 21 years after taking his first wicket on debut against Zimbabwe at Lord’s.

He is third on the all-time list of Test wicket-takers, eight behind great Australia leg-spinner Shane Warne.

“He’s been an amazing performer for a very long period of time now,” said Stokes. “He’s an incredible athlete and one of the all-time greats.

“You have to think of how much he has put his body through to achieve that feat. He’s a complete and utter role model for anyone who wants to be a fast bowler.”

Stokes himself returned to bowling in Test cricket for the first time since July following surgery on his left knee. With his first delivery in 251 days, Stokes bowled opposite number Rohit Sharma.

“That I’ve managed to come back to competitive bowling in this game has given me a massive boost. I know that me playing the all-rounder role really does help the set-up of the team,” said Stokes.

“I’m looking forward to hopefully coming back in the summer and playing a role as a batter, bowler and captain.”