One of England's heaviest test defeats could not shake Ben Stokes's conviction in their high-risk approach and the touring skipper believes they can still win the five-test series in India.
England's bold tactics under Stokes and coach Brendon 'Baz' McCullum have revitalised test cricket and India, who have not lost a test series on home soil since 2012, were always going to be a litmus test of that philosophy. India crushed England by 434 runs, their biggest win in terms of runs, in the third match in Rajkot to go 2-1 up in the series but Stokes will not abandon 'Bazball' yet despite criticism that it borders on recklessness.
"Everyone has an opinion or a perception of things but the people in the dressing room really matter to us," Stokes said after the chastening loss on Sunday. "We know things don't always work out exactly how you want them to. We are 2-1 down and have a chance to win 3-2.
MATCH REPORT | India beat England by 434 runs at Rajkot
"We will leave this game behind us. We have to win the next two to win the series and that's what we will be trying to do," Stokes said.
Debates have raged about poor shot selection by the England batters, including Joe Root whose ill-advised reverse scoop triggered a collapse in their first innings. Replying to India's first innings 445, England were 224-4 before being all out for 319. The tourists managed 122 in their second innings chasing a record 557.
"It was about identifying the opportunity to push the scoreboard on and get as close to India's total as possible," Stokes said of their first innings. "Sometimes game plans don't work out, that's just sport," he said.
