New Delhi: England have added pacer Gus Atkinson to their squad for the third Test match against India. The third Test begins at Lord’s on Thursday.
England won the first Iest at Headingley but were trounced by 336 runs in the second game at Edgbaston as India asquared the five-match series 1-1.
England had played in the second match with an unchanged XI but after losing momentum with their big defeat, they might consider other options, including Atkinson, for the third Test.
Analysing their defeat, Stokes said it wa frustrating to see his team unable to final day when set a 608-run target.
“We nicked a few more than India did. It’s one of those, where we went past the bat a few times, had a few nicks go in the game. We nicked them and India caught them. It can be such a frustrating game some times and be out there to watch this stuff unfold in front of you,” he said.
“That’s why you love it, being part of the emotions of this game. That is part of what makes Test cricket a game people love watching, a little bit of luck here and there and you are the team on top. They played better as an all round unit, batting and bowling this week. We were in that position last week.”
‘Ball of the series’
India pacer Akash Deep picked up his maiden 10-wicket haul to be their star bowler of the match and received praise from Sachin Tendulkar.
“India’s approach was to take England out of this game and force them to play differently, making sure that there would only be 1 winner. What impressed me most about the bowlers was the length they bowled.
“Needless to say, Akash Deep was the standout bowler, and in my opinion, he bowled the ball of the series to Joe Root,” Tendulkar wrote on social media plarform X.
“Great victory for India at Edgbaston. Fearless and kept pushing England to the wall. Brilliantly led by Shubman with the bat and in the field and impactful performances from everyone. Special mention to Siraj and Akash for the way they bowled on this pitch,” Virat Kohli said.
Former India skipper Sourav Ganguly also lauded Shubman Gill’s young team.
“What a performance from Shubman Gill and his team.. with the bat and now with the ball..Akasdeep (sic) and Siraj just brilliant. Indian attack looking far superior than the English attack .. Akasdeep (sic) and Siraj are workhorses. India win without bumrah..Can’t be better result with the fantastic Gill in charge. What a fantastic batting effort,” Ganguly said on X.
The Squad: Ben Stokes (c), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Sam Cook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes.