Ben Stokes admitted that chasing 378 to win England’s record-breaking target by seven wickets “would have been scary”.
Centuries from Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow helped England level the five-match series for the Pataudi Trophy on Tuesday in their most successful run chase in Test cricket.
IND vs ENG, 5th Test Day 5 – Highlight , report
England chased down the target of 378 in the morning session of the fifth and final day, with Root and Bairstow remaining unbeaten on 142 and 114 respectively.
“When kids play like this, it makes my job easier. When you have clarity like in the dressing room, it makes chasing the target easier,” Stokes said after the match.
“378 five weeks ago would have been scary, but now it’s all good,” he said.
The successful chase of 378 runs is also the highest chased by England in Test cricket. England chased down 378 after chasing 277, 299 and 296 against New Zealand India Also making them the first team in Test cricket to successfully chase down four 250+ scores in consecutive matches.
The England captain heaped praise on Root and Bairstow, saying all the credit for the win should go to the pair.
“All the credit will go to Johnny and Root, but the way the openers played against (Jasprit) Bumrah and (Mohammed) Shami with the new ball set an example,” Stoke said.
Stokes also opened up on the change in England’s approach in recent matches, saying he wants to “bring some new life into Test cricket”.
“We are trying to rewrite how Test cricket is played in England. All our plans for the last four-five weeks are what we want to take forward. It’s not important to bowl at the top, it’s just about taking ten wickets. We know that we want to give some new life to Test cricket.
Stokes also praised the English audience at Edgbaston, saying: “The support we have received has been fantastic in the short time we have been around. What we want to do is to inspire the next generation. We are new fans Wants to bring in and leave a mark on Test cricket.
Get all the latest updates cricket news, cricket pictures, cricket videos And cricket score Here