"We're still going to have the same mindset" - Ben Stokes makes a bold statement ahead of Edgbaston Test

 

The most-awaited match, England vs India, is going to kick off in a few fours at the Edgbaston in Birmingham. England has announced their playing XI ahead of the fifth (rescheduled) match and their skipper Ben Stokes has reckoned that they will be going to treat the visitors likewise they did with New Zealand.

Team India has been a top-quality side, especially in the longest format of the game. However, they will miss the services of their skipper Rohit Sharma who has tested positive for coronavirus after the warm-up match against Leicestershire.

With his unavailability, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the premiere pacer Jasprit Bumrah as the stand-in skipper with Rishabh Pant as his deputy. Both of them would have a lot of pressure as all the Indian fans will be hoping to win this series against the hosts.

It's going to be a completely different: Ben Stokes

The skipper of England, Ben Stokes has recently whitewashed New Zealand in the three-match Test series by 3-0. The English all-rounder has led his side well in his first series as captain and is looking to elaborate the same in the upcoming fixture against Team India.

During the post-match interaction, Ben Stokes told the reporters, "Regardless of the opposition, we're still going to have the same mindset."

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"Obviously, it's going to be a completely different… different opposition, with their attack and players as well. We'll be concentrating on what we've done well over these last three games and look to continue that against India on Friday," said Ben Stokes.

Elaborating the same, the England skipper added, "I Knew that everyone would buy into the new mentality I and Brendon (McCullum) set out, but I didn't think it would go this well, to be honest."