Stokes Hails England's Greatest Test Win Under His Captaincy

Skipper Ben Stokes on Sunday said England's come-from-behind win over India by 28 runs in the opening Test in Hyderabad was his "greatest" as captain.

Ben Stokes (Image Source: Google)

'Stay true to myself' -

Stokes succeeded Joe Root as Test captain in 2022 after the Ashes loss in Australia and has since transformed the team into a winning unit along with coach Brendon McCullum.

Their attacking 'Bazball' style has brought England 14 victories in 19 Tests.

Stokes played his part with a counter-attacking 70 in England's first-innings 246 and a fearless approach was also evident in Ben Duckett's 47 in the team's second innings.

Pope remained defiant as he used the sweep and the reverse sweep to counter the formidable Indian spinners on a turning pitch.

Stokes, who is playing the series only as a batsman after knee surgery, said win or lose, the team will stick to their gameplan.

"When you are part of a successful team over a two-year period like we have been, you can start thinking about the result," he said.

"That's my responsibility, to stay true to myself. All that stuff is going to stay the same, but how are we going to get better, keep propelling ourselves forward like we have over the last two years."

England also claimed an opening victory in 2021 before losing the four-match series 3-1, but Stokes will be hoping for a another shock win in the second game which starts Friday in Visakhapatnam.

"As captain I want everyone to give themselves the best opportunity to go out there and perform," Stokes added.

"It's not always going to happen but as long as we are doing the right things, we are giving ourselves the best chance."

The five-match series also includes games in Rajkot, Ranchi and Dharamsala, concluding in March.