Ben Stokes’ Batting Struggles Under Scrutiny After India Thrashing
England captain Ben Stokes is facing mounting pressure as his recent form with the bat comes under intense scrutiny following a comprehensive 336-run defeat to India at Edgbaston. While England’s overall performance was disappointing – marked by batting collapses and bowling inconsistencies – the spotlight has firmly landed on Stokes’ diminishing returns, raising questions about his ability to lead with the bat as he approaches two years without a Test century.
The defeat, which saw India become just the sixth side in Test history to score over 1000 runs in a single match, exposed several vulnerabilities within the England side. Stokes’ decision to bowl first on a flat pitch was also questioned, but the focus quickly shifted to his own struggles at the crease. He was dismissed for a first-ball duck in the first innings, falling victim to a sharp delivery from Mohammed Siraj, and then managed just 33 before lunch on the final day, caught lbw by Washington Sundar.
Despite six English batters recording ducks in the first innings – a situation salvaged by Jamie Smith’s unbeaten 184 and Harry Brook’s 158 – Stokes’ own failures have amplified concerns. The England skipper’s recent statistics paint a concerning picture: since his last Test century – a defiant hundred against Australia at Lord’s two years ago – he has scored 886 runs at an average of 30.55, with seven half-centuries.
While these numbers aren’t disastrous, particularly considering his reputation as a swashbuckling batter and his pioneering role in the “Bazball” philosophy alongside coach Brendon McCullum, his performance in the current series against India has been underwhelming. Stokes has managed scores of 20, 33, 0, and 33, at a surprisingly low strike rate of 48.58, a stark contrast to the aggressive intent that defines his team’s approach.
The contrast with his Indian counterpart, Shubman Gill, was particularly stark. Gill’s magnificent innings of 269 and 161 meant he outscored Stokes by a staggering 397 runs in the match – the largest gap between two captains in the history of Test cricket. This disparity fueled criticism, with some observers questioning Stokes’ leadership and tactical decisions.
Stokes himself attributed some of the difficulties to the pitch conditions, suggesting it resembled a typical subcontinent batting surface. “It probably ended up being more of a subcontinent pitch… with the Indian attack and the conditions they are used to, they were able to expose it better than us,” he told the BBC. However, these comments were met with skepticism, given Stokes’ previous requests for batter-friendly pitches, notably during the 2023 Ashes series where he stated, “We want flat, fast wickets. We want to score quickly.”
A deeper dive into Stokes’ recent form reveals a worrying trend against spin bowling. According to ESPN Cricinfo’s senior correspondent Matt Roller, “his dismissal to Sundar felt almost inevitable: 16 of his 25 Test dismissals since the start of last year have been to spinners, and he is averaging 18.43 against spin in that time. It has been a barren run.” This vulnerability has not gone unnoticed by opposing teams, with Nathan Lyon, who has dismissed Stokes nine times in Tests, likely relishing the prospect of facing him again in future series.
The Guardian’s senior sports writer, Andy Bull, echoed these concerns, describing Stokes’ recent batting as a shadow of his former self. “Strange to say about a man who’s performed so many wonders, but it felt like no hope at all,” Bull wrote, drawing a parallel to Greek mythology to illustrate the diminishing returns of a once-formidable force. He noted how Jadeja’s skillful bowling exploited Stokes’ weaknesses, “like watching a grizzly bear try to solve a Rubik’s cube.”
Former Indian batter Mohammed Kaif was more direct in his criticism, questioning Stokes’ captaincy and overall impact. “On a flat track with sun shining he decides to bowl, today with some life in pitch edges flying but no extra slip,” Kaif posted on social media. “Batsmen took England to win in first Test but Stokes didn’t score many. Please inform if I have missed any of his hidden leadership master stroke.”
Underlying Stokes’ batting struggles are persistent fitness concerns. He has battled chronic knee problems and suffered two hamstring injuries in the past year, requiring surgery and limiting his playing time. While he has demonstrated a commitment to maintaining his status as an all-rounder, taking nine wickets across three Tests this summer, some analysts suggest the focus on bowling may be impacting his batting rhythm.
According to The Telegraph’s cricket news correspondent Will Macpherson, “The narrative around Stokes across his two years without a hundred has centred on his bowling, and his fitness to do so, amid a chronic knee injury and two torn hamstrings.” Macpherson highlighted England’s rehabilitation approach for injured bowlers, which prioritizes net sessions over match practice, potentially hindering Stokes’ ability to regain his batting touch.
Stokes has faced only 1280 balls in professional cricket since the start of last year, significantly fewer than his teammates Zak Crawley (2414) and Joe Root (4523), as noted by Roller. This lack of time in the middle is widely seen as a key factor in his current struggles.
Looking ahead, a potential solution being discussed is a shift down the batting order. Jamie Smith’s strong performances have prompted suggestions that the two should swap positions, while others believe Stokes could benefit from batting at number eight, reducing the pressure and allowing him to focus on his all-rounder role. A graphic illustrating Stokes’ batting average at different positions throughout his career would be beneficial here.
Macpherson argues that removing some of the responsibility associated with batting higher up the order could be beneficial for Stokes. “Stokes has so much authority in this side that the removal of some responsibility might be helpful,” he wrote. His captaincy averages have declined from 39 in his first year to 28 last year and 19 so far this year, suggesting a correlation between his batting form and leadership burden.
Ultimately, Stokes needs to rediscover his rhythm and confidence at the crease. With three Test matches remaining in the series against India, the pressure is on for the England captain to deliver. The coming matches will be a crucial test of his resilience and ability to overcome his current challenges and recapture the form that once made him one of the most feared batsmen in the world.
