IND vs ENG Test: ‘He just keeps coming…’ – Ben Stokes on Mohammed Siraj heroics at The Oval | Cricket News
TimesofIndia.com in London: England captain Ben Stokes paid glowing tribute to the India-England Test series, describing it as a powerful endorsement of the format even as his team suffered a dramatic six-run defeat in the final Test at The Oval. India’s win meant that they leveled the series 2-2. “All four games going to five days, this one again. Toe to toe for all five days. The two teams left nothing out there,” Stokes said after the match. Reacting to the narrow defeat in the final Test, he said, “We are disappointed to not get the result for the series win. I’m a massive advocate of Test cricket and this series has been fantastic.”
The finale lived up to its billing. England resumed Day 5 needing 35 runs with four wickets in hand. Prasidh Krishna was struck for two boundaries in the first over, but India didn’t let the pressure slip. Mohammed Siraj, relentless all series, was in full rhythm. He had Jamie Smith caught behind, trapped Jamie Overton lbw and then delivered the killer blow with a stunning yorker that crashed into Gus Atkinson’s off stump. Siraj ended with figures of 5 for 104, sealing a win that sparked wild celebrations. India levelled the series 2-2, denying England a historic come-from-behind series victory.
The pacer headlined India’s efforts with the ball on the last two days, as he gave every bit of his might to securing India the win at The Oval. “I have had great respect and admiration for him. He just keeps coming and coming. Another example of what it means. Fair play to him,” said the 34-year-old. In the midst of it all was Chris Woakes, who stunned the Oval crowd by walking out to bat with a damaged shoulder. His one arm tucked in his sweater and the bat gripped in his right hand. He finished unbeaten on 0 without facing a delivery. “It’s unbelievable, but it was never going to be a question,” Stokes said of Woakes’ gesture. “Rishabh Pant batting with a broken foot, Shoaib Bashir bowling with a broken finger, and now Chris Woakes today.”However, he maintained his resolve that there should not be injury replacements in the format. The England skipper acknowledged the difficulty of watching from the sidelines. “Watching when you can’t do anything about it is different,” he said. “But I thought the lads adapted well to the situation,” he exclaimed, on how the side reacted in the absence of Woakes to bowl.
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England may not have claimed the series, but their resilience and intent kept the contest alive till the very last moment. The sentiment was not lost on Stokes either. “India vs England is always a big rivalry,” he added, “even if it doesn’t have the Ashes attachment.”“It’s been a special series to be part of, full of ebbs and flows. To be part of it has been very special,” said the skipper on the series as a whole, which managed to keep fans at the edge of their seats, right from the start.
