IND vs ENG: “Subcontinent Pitch” – Ben Stokes Trolled for Excuse After 336-Run Hammering
Ben Stokes blamed Edgbaston pitch after India’s 336-run win, fans called him a "crybaby" for not admitting England's failure.
England captain Ben Stokes is facing heat online after blaming the pitch for his team’s heavy defeat against India at Edgbaston. Fans slammed the skipper, calling him a “crybaby” for not owning up to England’s poor performance.
England lost the second Test by 336 runs, their biggest defeat in the Bazball era at home. The match was one-sided from the start, with India dominating both with the bat and the ball.
Stokes, however, pointed fingers at the pitch, saying it turned into a subcontinent-like surface as the game went on.
“To be honest, it probably ended up being more of a subcontinent pitch as it got deeper into the game,” Stokes told BBC.
“There was a bit in it early on and we exposed that well. But later, it became a real slog. The Indian bowlers used it better.”
This didn’t go down well with fans on social media. Many said Stokes should have just admitted his team was outplayed.
One fan posted, “Blames pitches even in his beloved fortress.” Another wrote, “Take the loss like a leader, not like a crybaby.”
Akash Deep, Siraj Deliver India’s First Win at Edgbaston
India’s bowlers didn’t seem to mind the pitch. Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj stepped up in Jasprit Bumrah’s absence and tore through the English lineup.
Siraj got six wickets in the first innings, setting the tone for India. Akash Deep then followed it up with a brilliant six-for in the second innings, finishing with match figures of 10 for 187. His effort is now the best by any Indian bowler in a Test match in England.
England’s only real resistance came from Jamie Smith, who scored 184 not out in the first innings and followed it up with 88 in the second. But with no support from the rest of the lineup, it wasn’t enough.
After the match, Stokes did admit that India were the better team.
“It’s nothing to be too disheartened about. We’ve been outskilled this week,” he said.
The five-match series is now level at 1-1. The third Test begins at Lord’s on July 10.
