Ben Stokes, England’s batsman, in his book “On Fire”, has discussed some experiences he along with his team had against India in the semifinals of ICC World Cup 2019.
He has opened up saying that India had no intent to win the World Cup. Discussing MS Dhoni’s inning, he said that he had less or no intent as needed 112 off 11 overs, he went for singles rather than hitting sixes. Victory could have belonged to them even if a dozen balls would have been remaining.
Ben Stokes opened up about India’s “no intent to win” in World Cup 2019
“MS Dhoni showed no intent to win the game against us, Arguably the way MS Dhoni played when he came in with 112 runs needed from 11 overs was even stranger. He appeared more intent on singles than sixes. Even with a dozen balls remaining, India could still have won,” Ben Stokes writes in his book.
Slamming Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, Ben Stokes said that India did not desire to put pressure on their host. He appreciated how England’s bowler restricted them below the belt. Adding more to Kohli’s 59 meters boundary’s statement, Ben maintained the duo of batsmen had no tactics. According to him, it was a strategical game by India more in England’s favor than in their own.
“The way Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli played was mystifying. I know that we bowled brilliantly well during this period, but the way they went about their batting just seemed bizarre. They allowed their team to get so far behind the game. They showed no desire to put any pressure back onto our team, content instead to just drift along, a tactic that was clearly playing into our hands.” Stokes added, who played a key role in England’s successful World Cup campaign.
Ben added that instead of India, Pakistan shall had been the opponent as they were the toughest opponent to beat all over the tournament.
“On paper, I think Pakistan was the toughest team to beat in that WC Pakistan should be in Semis instead of India.”
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