Published: Jul 22, 2025, 06:57 PM (IST)
Edited: Jul 22, 2025, 06:57 PM (IST)
England captain Ben Stokes said on Tuesday that his team would match any aggression from the Indian players in the fourth Test, which starts on Wednesday.
Shubman Gill, Mohammed Siraj, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ben Stokes, and Harry Brook frequently engaged in animated exchanges with their opponents during the five-match series, which England led 2-1.
“I don’t think it’s one of those things where we’re going to necessarily just go out and start at (sledging). I don’t think either team’s really looked to do that. I think there’s always going to be a moment in a Test series where something does heat up. It’s a massive series and there’s a lot of pressure on both teams to perform,” Stokes said.
Stokes clearly indicated that his team would not overlook opposition hostility, despite the reaction being natural in the moment.
“As I said, it’s not something that we’re going to purposely go out and look to start because then that will take our focus off what we actually need to do out in the middle. But by no means, we’re not going to take a backward step and let any opposition try to be confrontational towards us.” England Captain Stokes said.
“And not try to give a bit back. I think that goes for most teams, to be honest anyway. So, it’s not like we’re the only team who does that. But the series has been great to play. It has been great to watch. All five days, all three Tests so far. Quality of cricket has been outstanding,” he added.
At Lord’s, Mohammed Siraj and Shubman Gill reacted heatedly to Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett’s deliberate delaying tactics on the third day of the third Test.
The England opener responded in the same way when Gill pointed a finger at Duckett, and Stokes later justified the whole incident.
“Obviously, that night (at the Lord’s) when Zak and Ben had to go out just started it off. We had the advantage of bowling last in the Test match to win. We just threw everything that we possibly could at India, not only with our skills, but also with their energy in the field as well,” he said.
As Stokes acknowledged, the aggressive Indian players added some adrenaline to his team’s performance.
“Harry Brooks said, Brendan McCullum said, you guys have been too nice. Do you agree? Yeah, I think potentially. I guess it was a really nice moment, I think, as a team when you speak about something like that and everyone buys into that (replying to aggressive tactics by the opposition),” Stokes added.
India are in a must-win situation, but England hold the advantage after taking the series lead at Lord’s, They’ll be eager to wrap up the series at a venue where Indian haven’t played a Test since 2014.
“Good win for us at Lord’s. Nice break. Hope we continue the momentum and put in the same effort and energy,” he added.
India had to depart from its preferred template in the penultimate Test, hoping to end a winless streak at Old Trafford and level the series.
