"Gave India a huge advantage" - Ben Stokes reflects on the surface used for IND vs ENG T20 World Cup 2024 semi-final
England all-rounder Ben Stokes believes the nature of the surface was hugely conducive for India in the T20 World Cup 2024 semi-final in Guyana on June 27. The Test captain equally showered praise on England for showing their mettle in the tournament when put under pressure.
The surface in Guyana brought Indian spinners hugely into play after captain Rohit Sharma top-scored with 57 to lift their side to 171/7. Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav picked up six wickets between them to bowl the defending champions out for 103, winning by 68 runs.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Stokes suggested that the format of the T20 World Cup is slightly unfair due to the unpredictable weather situation. He said:
"It’s an interesting format, the T20 World Cup, one I’m not a huge fan of because teams can go through or not go through potentially because of a weather situation.
"When England were put under pressure, especially at the back end of the group stages, they showed what a good team they were. India are a very good team, especially in the conditions that pitch offered. It gave India a huge advantage."
With questions over Jos Buttler's future as captain, the 33-year-old asserted that the keeper-batter is the best man to lead England, elaborating:
"Jos is the man to lead that white-ball team forward. He is a great leader. He’s got the respect of all the team members in the dressing room. They have done a great job in getting to another major semi-final. Being part of sport is about growing and progressing your side. It’s not shabby to say you got through to a World Cup semi-final."
The Lancashire cricketer has had a fairly considerable tenure as captain. Buttler's biggest achievement has been captaining England to the World T20 title in 2022. However, they endured a disastrous 50-over World Cup campaign in 2023, getting eliminated in the group stage.
"Complete and utter role model for all fast bowlers" - Ben Stokes on James Anderson
With James Anderson set to retire after the Lord's Test against the West Indies, Stokes reflected on his incredible career and lauded his commitment. The seam-bowling all-rounder said:
"I’d rather talk about the memories of Jimmy, what he is to the game and what he is to English cricket. He’s a complete and utter role model for all fast bowlers. The commitment he has shown to his craft is just phenomenal. He’s an incredible professional, an incredible athlete and one of our greatest ever to play the game."
England's home Test summer begins on July 10, where they will start will West Indies in a three-match series.