LONDON – England captain Ben Stokes expressed his disappointment after his team failed to secure a Test series victory against India, despite coming agonizingly close. The five-match series ended 2-2 after India clinched a thrilling six-run win on the final day, with fast bowler Mohammed Siraj claiming three crucial wickets on Monday morning. England, chasing a challenging target of 374, had been in control at 301-3 on Sunday, thanks to a strong partnership between Harry Brook and Joe Root. However, a dramatic collapse saw them lose their last seven wickets for just 66 runs.
Stokes, who missed the final Test due to a shoulder injury, refused to blame Brook for his dismissal, which triggered England’s downfall. “It’s been toe-to-toe pretty much for 25 days,” Stokes said. “Two very good teams threw everything at each other and left nothing out there.” He acknowledged that a 2-2 draw was a fair reflection of the closely fought contest but admitted his disappointment at falling short of a series win.
England seemed destined for victory on Sunday, with Brook (111) and Root (105) batting confidently. However, the momentum shifted when Brook, whose aggressive innings had put England in control, mistimed a shot and was caught at mid-off in an unusual manner. His dismissal sparked a late collapse, with Root also falling as India tightened their grip. Bad light and rain halted play on Sunday evening, leaving the match finely balanced overnight.
On the final day, India’s bowlers capitalized on the pressure, with Siraj leading the charge to dismantle England’s lower order. Stokes praised both teams for their competitive spirit but rued England’s inability to finish the job. “From a cricket fan’s point of view, 2-2 is probably fair,” he said. “But we’re disappointed not to get the result we wanted.” The series concluded as another classic encounter between two of Test cricket’s top sides.