England captain Ben Stokes admitted his side’s bowlers failed to deliver at crucial stages in the second Test defeat to India, as he hinted that changes could be on the cards ahead of the third Test at Lord’s on July 10.
Addressing reporters after the match at Edgbaston, Stokes pointed to two pivotal moments where England lost their grip: failing to break India’s middle order early and then collapsing to 80 for five in their first innings.
“We had them 200 for five and just couldn’t break through the way we know we can,” Stokes said. “That allowed them to post a big total. We started strong but didn’t finish the job. Then our batting folded early, and it was always going to be hard to recover from there.”
While praising the effort of his pace attack, Stokes acknowledged the toll back-to-back Tests had taken on the bowlers, adding that the team would reassess before the third match.
“The big quicks gave everything, no doubt,” he said. “But we’ve spent a lot of time out there in the field across both Tests. We’ll see how everyone pulls up over the next couple of days.”
England, who won the first Test in Hyderabad, now find the five-match series levelled at 1–1. The pressure is mounting as both sides prepare for the third Test at Lord’s.
Reflecting on the finer margins that defined the match, Stokes said England simply failed to seize their chances, unlike their opponents.
“We went past the bat, found the edge, but it just didn’t stick,” he noted. “India took theirs. They were better across the board. Last week we got ahead and held on — this time it was India who seized control.”
The England skipper also singled out Shubman Gill, whose impressive run continues to trouble England’s bowlers.
“He’s had two great games. Especially in that first innings — when someone’s in nick, the edges fall safe, the luck goes with them. We tried going at the stumps, looking for LBW, but he found a way.”
With both sides now level, all eyes will turn to Lord’s where England may field a reshuffled attack in an effort to regain the upper hand.
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