Ben Stokes
Photo Credit: Getty Images.

It was one of those rare days for the Indian team in the ICC World Cup 2019. They lost to England while chasing a mammoth tally on the board. Meanwhile, the Indian skipper, Rohit Sharma, in the press conference, quoted that they missed a knock like Ben Stokes during the end overs of the game.

When the asking rate had shot up to over 15 in the final overs of India’s chase of 338 against England in their ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 match on Sunday, MS Dhoni and Kedar Jadhav showed no intent and were happy to knock it around for singles.

India eventually lost the match by 31 runs — their first defeat in World Cup 2019. MS Dhoni finished with 42 runs from 31 balls but his stand with Kedar Jadhav read 31 from 39 balls. It had 7 dots, 20 singles, 3 fours and the only six of the Indian innings at Edgbaston.

Rohit Sharma, Ben Stokes
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India got off to the worst possible start in their chase of 338 as they lost KL Rahul early and huffed and puffed to 28 for 1 in 10 overs. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma though helped India get their chase back on track with a 138-run stand. Kohli fell for 66 but Rohit stayed on and got a hundred.

However, Rohit’s departure put pressure on India. Hardik Pandya (45 from 33) and Rishabh Pant (32 from 29) added a bit of life to India’s chase but it all went downhill after Dhoni and Jadhav joined hands for the 6th wicket.

Ben Stokes did for them – Rohit Sharma

Speaking of the same, Rohit Sharma quoted that they have missed an innings like Ben Stokes in the end, which made the major difference in the game. He felt that the Indian team would have ended on the right side of things if they had a breezy knock like Stokes at the death.

”When you’re chasing 330, around 340, you need that X factor inning of someone coming and playing that 70 over 30, 40 balls. Hardik was looking good but couldn’t just go on,” Rohit Sharma said.

Ben Stokes, England vs South Africa, ICC World Cup 2019
Photo Credit: Getty Images.

”So, yeah, that is something from their side Ben Stokes did for them, came and batted and changed the game actually. Until then, we were right in the game, restricted them pretty well. Yeah, we needed somebody like Ben Stokes’ innings towards the end to get to that target,” he added.

Well, India needs to address a few concerns in their batting lineup. So far, they reaped rewards by batting first but when it comes to chasing a big tally, the Indian management must address quite a few concerns.

Ankush Das

I am an accountant by qualification, my parents thought their obedient son would study further to become a CA, but I had other things in mind. An ardent Cricket fan is following his passion and making...