IND vs ENG 2024: They are a incredible side – Ben Stokes on playing against India

England skipper Ben Stokes admitted his team is going to have their work cut out against India in the ongoing five-match Test series. Stokes won the toss and decided to bat first in the opening Test at Hyderabad on Thursday.

India has been formidable in their conditions and has won 16 consecutive Test series at home. Stokes is aware of the challenge that India presents every touring team.

Meanwhile, India last lost a Test series at home when England won by 2-1 in 2012 under the leadership of Alastair Cook. India won the previous home Test series against the English team by 3-1 in 2021.

A lot of credit for India’s success attributes to its potent spin battery. The hosts are playing the spin trio of Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel in the opening Test.

“We are going to have a bat first. These are typical conditions so we are not sure we are going to get. We want to bat first and get a big score on the board. Preparations have been good. We know the challenge that India presents to every team that comes here. They are a really incredible side and there’s an opportunity for us to do something special,” said Stokes while speaking at the toss.

Stokes revealed they are playing three spinners in Jack Leach, Tom Hartley, and Rehan Ahmed and he has got confidence in them.

“We have got Tom Hartley coming in making his debut, Rehan Ahmed playing his 2nd Test match and they have got a great leader in Jack Leach in the spin department so I have got full confidence in everyone in the side,” Stokes added.

Starting XIs for Hyderabad Test

England: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes (C), Ben Foakes, Rehan Ahmed, Tom Hartley, Mark Wood, Jack Leach.

India: Rohit Sharma (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Lokesh Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Srikar Bharat (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.