India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate was effusive in his praise for England’s captain Ben Stokes after Sunday’s marathon effort at Lord’s. Stokes shouldered 44 overs across both innings, including a gritty spell of 9.2 overs on the final morning, claiming five wickets to power England to a tight 22‑run win. The performance silenced any doubts about Stokes’ fitness or resolve, showcasing his determination to deliver under pressure.
Pressed on comparisons between Stokes’ workload and India’s own spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, Ryan ten Doeschate firmly dismissed the notion of direct equivalence. “That was super impressive… but we’re not here to compare our bowlers with individuals from other teams,” he stated. “We have our own strengths. Jasprit, for instance, thrives in short, sharp spells, which he prefers bowling in.”
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He added that bowling strategies are personalised: “Some bowlers—like Siraj and Stokes—build into their spells, peaking in their seventh, eighth and ninth over, but not everyone has to be the same… We plan accordingly in consultation with Jasprit.”
Ten Doeschate praised Stokes’ all‑round contribution but emphasised that this should not pressure India’s team into forcing Bumrah into marathon spells. He reiterated that each bowler functions within a tailored workload framework aimed at maximising impact and preserving fitness.
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The conversation shifts next to Manchester, where Bumrah may return after a calculated two‑Test rest. Ryan Ten Doeschate acknowledged that India is “leaning towards” selecting him for the fourth match, given the series is on the line. Bumrah has been stellar in both Tests he played this series—claiming five‑wicket hauls at Headingley and Lord’s—yet the team remains mindful of balancing his workload.
Currently second in the series wicket charts with 12 scalps at an average of 21, Bumrah’s participation could significantly bolster India’s hopes of levelling the contest.
