INDIA TOUR OF ENGLAND, 2025
Stokes said he felt in good shape heading into the second game. © Getty
June 30 was amongst the hottest days in England with temperatures in many parts reaching 33 degree Celsius. On the opening day of Wimbledon, tennis players were cooling themselves with ice bags over their heads. Heat alerts were issued with health agencies recommending hats, sunglasses and sun cream. The build up to the second Test at Edgbaston has been about the hot conditions, a possibly dry pitch and bowlers having to do a lot of hard work again.
Meanwhile, after a gruelling five-day affair to kick off the England-India series in Leeds, the teams have enjoyed a lengthy seven-day break leading into the second Test. England even took an extra day off from training on Sunday, with Ben Stokes, the England captain, welcoming the break as he spoke about the importance of having a time off after a hard-working first Test, especially for the bowlers.
“I think the time off in between games is so, so important. That’s where you recharge for it, where you get yourself back into a position to deal with pressure again. We went all the way to the end of last week. The most important thing for us as a group, and also for the bowlers in particular, was getting them (ready), for Wednesday, (ensuring) that they’re fresh.
“We’ve had training on Sunday scheduled, but because we bowled so much and spent so much time in the field, we felt that extra day off was the most important thing to make sure that when we turn up on Wednesday we’re not too overcooked again. Bowlers bowl their overs in the field for a long time. So, yeah, as much as training is where you try and get yourself better, time off and recharging the batteries and getting the body pressure going, that should never be underestimated, especially in a five-match series. Particularly when games two and three are back to back,” said Stokes.
Speaking about his fitness, Stokes, who bowled 20 overs in the first innings of the opening Test, followed by 15 more in the second essay, said he felt in good shape heading into the second game, mainly due to the break that allowed him to switch off.
“I feel better now than I did on Thursday and Friday. Yeah, I think everyone was very tired that week. I used the three days after that game to offer absolutely nothing to the world. I was a shadow of myself, but it goes to show how much a five-day Test match takes out of you. I was pretty tired, but I’m all over that now and ready to go tomorrow,” said Stokes, who added that he felt in great shape having resumed bowling full tilt from the first match.
“Yeah, I felt very good going into the game. I did everything possible to not worry about anything outside of what we normally worry about. But coming out of that game, feeling good in all of my spells, rhythm-wise, being able to back up spells throughout the day. But I managed to maintain my pace, which was one of the things I wanted to concentrate on. But yeah, it’s all coming out nicely. It was a good week last week,” he said.
The return of Jofra Archer
Although he isn’t part of the playing eleven for the second Test, the presence of Jofra Archer in the squad is a positive, said Stokes who expressed hope that the pacer will be part of the playing group some time in this series.
“It’s been a long time since Joff’s been in a Test environment. He’s been playing a lot of white-ball cricket over the last couple of years. So, to have him back with us here after such a long time is, first and foremost, great for him. Great for the team. I think it’s very important for Joff to be around the group this week. It’s been a long time for him.
“The last time he was in the dressing room, that was under a different regime. So, I felt it was important, even if he didn’t get selected this week, that he spends time around the group. Hopefully, we will see him play a part in this series going forward. So, that time spent with Joff and the other individuals in this group is very important for the rest of the series,” he said.
Stokes heaps praise on Pant
The England skipper also spoke highly of Rishabh Pant’s game, with the left-handed wicketkeeper-batter having struck two hundreds in the Leeds game. Stokes, who also came under the attack from Pant, said he enjoyed watching him bat. “I absolutely love watching Rishabh play cricket. I love the way he takes it on. He’s come under (pressure), he’s got a bit of stick in his time, but that type of talent, when you let that type of talent be free, that’s what can happen (as we saw) in the last week. Credit to him, two hundreds in the game.
“We know we’re going to get our chances with the way that Rishabh plays. So, yeah, it’s one of them. On a different day, it could have looked a little bit different. One of those, you know, gone straight off into hand. But, yeah, a very dangerous player. We know what he brings to the Indian team, but I really enjoy watching Rishabh play cricket,” said Stokes, who also expected a strong comeback from India at Edgbaston, stressing that the hosts will be keen to start afresh and not think about the 1-0 lead.
“They (India) always fight hard, come hard. (They are a) very passionate team. I think it’s pretty clear that there’s always pressure on shoulders of international sportsmen, but playing for India, especially in cricket, there’s probably a bit more on any other nation. So, yeah, a very proud nation. Don’t take anything for granted from last week. We’re starting 0-0 again. We try and put in a performance that hopefully can take the team (forward).”
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