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Stokes remains upbeat despite England's painful loss to India

Last updated: August 4, 2025 | 17:40

Ben Stokes and Shubman Gill after end of the fifth cricket Test match at The Kia Oval in London on Monday. AP

Team captains, England's Ben Stokes (L) and India's Shubman Gill (R) pose with the Rothesay and Anderson-Teldulkar trophies at the presentation after the sides draw the test series, following India's win in the fifth Test cricket match between England and India at The Oval in London on August 4, 2025. Mohammed Siraj was India's hero as they beat England by just six runs in a thrilling fifth Test at the Oval on Monday to end the series level at 2-2. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. NO ASSOCIATION WITH DIRECT COMPETITOR OF SPONSOR, PARTNER, OR SUPPLIER OF THE ECB

England's Chris Woakes comes out to bat with his arm in a sling after a shoulder injury earlier in the match. AP

Cricket - International Test Match Series - Fifth Test - England v India - Kia Oval, London, Britain - August 4, 2025 India's Shubman Gill shakes hands with England head coach Brendon McCullum after India won the match to draw the test series Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs

Cricket - International Test Match Series - Fifth Test - England v India - Kia Oval, London, Britain - August 4, 2025 England's Chris Woakes walks off after India won the match to draw the test series Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs

England captain Ben Stokes tried to focus on the positives after his team's agonising six-run loss to India in their riveting final Test at The Oval on Monday.

Stokes, who did not play in the match due to injury, watched on as the hosts collapsed from 301-3 to 367 all out to give India a share of the series.

"Credit both teams. The amount of effort from both teams to end up here 2-2 is incredible," he told reporters.

"The heart and passion and everything that was shown, especially in our second bowling innings, I thought was outstanding."

Stokes, who scored a century and completed a five-wicket haul in the drawn fourth Test against India, said England had been well on top at various times in the final game under the captaincy of Ollie Pope.

"We got ourselves into some good positions throughout the test match, not just the last innings," he said. "To come within seven runs of victory, it's tough to look back and feel anything but disappointment."

Stokes felt the loss of Chris Woakes to a shoulder injury on the first day had been a crucial factor.

The all-rounder did come out to bat with a sling on to try to get England over the line but his absence along with that of Stokes and Jofra Archer left England with an inexperienced pace attack.

"Losing Woakesy early on in the game changed the whole responsibility on the bowlers in particular, the roles they were selected for," added Stokes. "But you can look back on a test match that goes five days and pick out loads of moments as to why (you lost). For us, to come out here to try and chase that total down in the way that we did was outstanding."

Stokes was not critical of the unorthodox or rash shots that caused the dismissals of several England batsmen as the tension mounted around the ground.

Harry Brook made a brilliant 111 before playing a stroke so reckless his bat flew out of his hand, Jacob Bethell was bowled after charging down the pitch and Jamie Smith played three loose shots in a row at Mohammed Siraj, the last one nicking his bat.

"That never-say-die, never-back-down attitude we've installed in the group nearly paid off for us," Stokes said.
"We couldn't quite get over the line."

Reuters

Stokes remains upbeat despite England's painful loss to India

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