England captain Ben Stokes admitted that England have been ‘outplayed’ by India in the recently-concluded 5-match Test series. On Saturday, they faced a defeat by an innings and 64 runs in the 5th Test at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala. However, England started the series after winning the Hyderabad Test by 28 runs, but after that, they lost all four Tests as well. Stokes, who lost his maiden Test series as captain, said that England got chances, but they failed to put India under enough pressure as well.

“Since the first Test match, we’re man enough to say we’ve been outplayed. We’ve got so much cricket coming up, taking the positives is something I’m looking forward to and driving this team forward. There have been small moments when we’ve not been able to wrestle momentum back. It’s about trying to understand those moments and be a bit more relentless,” Ben Stokes said in the post-match presentation ceremony.

However, England had moments to remember on Day 3 of the 5th Test after their pace spearhead James Anderson became the first pacer to pick up 700 wickets in Test cricket. Stokes lauded the pacer as an inspiration for budding fast bowlers as well. He also applauded Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Shoaib Bashir, Tom Hartley and Joe Root for their contributions throughout the series. While Crawley scored over 400 runs, Hartley bowled a match-winning spell in the Hyderabad Test as well.

“Amazing to be on the field. 700 wickets as a seamer is phenomenal. He’s someone every young kids looks up to and want to emulate. He’s as fit as I’ve ever seen him. Great to watch,” Ben Stokes concluded. “Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett continued their formidable partnership. Shoaib Bashir and Tom Hartley showed their quality. We’ve seen Joe Root come into form.”