Ben Stokes Prepares for Intense Fourth Test Against India

Tensions Rise Ahead of the Fourth Test

As the fourth Test approaches, set to take place on Wednesday at Old Trafford in Manchester, the rivalry between India and England intensifies. England's captain, Ben Stokes, has expressed that his team is ready to stand firm if tensions escalate during the match.

In a pre-match press conference, Stokes acknowledged the growing intensity of the competition between the two teams. With England currently leading the series 2-1, Stokes is determined to secure the series victory.

The previous Test at Lord's saw several heated moments, contributing to the current atmosphere. Shubman Gill confronted England players over time-wasting, leading to an on-field altercation with Zak Crawley. Additionally, Mohammed Siraj faced a fine following his exchange with Ben Duckett, while Jofra Archer and Ravindra Jadeja also had notable confrontations.

Stokes commented, "I don’t think it’s about starting fights; both teams are focused on performing. However, in a Test series, there are moments when emotions run high, especially in a series of this magnitude."

He further noted, "There’s immense pressure on both sides to deliver. The environment can lead to heated exchanges, and our last bowling advantage in the previous Test allowed us to push India hard, both skill-wise and energetically."

Stokes emphasized that while they won't intentionally seek confrontation, they will not shy away from standing their ground against any aggressive tactics from the opposition.