'Wanted India to give 450-plus target, to see what we can do' - Ben Stokes after the Edgbaston Test

Ben Stokes and his team are completely over the moon after back-to-back scintillating performances in Tests. Beating the World Test Champions in a comprehensive manner only the current England team can do, things have been going exceedingly well since the start of the reign of Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes.

After getting the better of the Kiwis with a whitewash, hopes were high for the Test match against India. Even though the visitors dominated the first three days of the match, the Three Lions were always expected to mount a comeback. 

In a Test match that witnessed a lot of records, two more were made in the last innings. First, England's openers scored the fastest century opening stand in the history of English cricket and then later, Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow piled up runs to chase down 378 in just 76.4 overs. This was the highest ever successful run chase by England in Tests.

Many critics have applauded this team's clarity, confidence and belief.

In an interview given to Sky Sports, Ben Stokes said, "Don't know where the line is. There was a bit of me that almost wanted India to get 450, to see what we'd do". These words point out to the oozing confidence the captain has on his team.

"I said yesterday after we finished the day's play, look at how teams will be viewing us at the moment, that third innings now has become a fourth innings - because they have to concentrate on how we're going to play, and they're worried about that. So to be in that position as a team, being feared before they've even finished their innings is an unbelievable place to be in. Teams don't know how to play the third innings, especially when they've got a lead," the skipper further added.  

Indeed, England are all set to remodel the way cricket is played, especially Test cricket. Incorporating an attacking style of play, England have revitalised themselves in the longest format of the game. 

Under new head coach Brendon McCullum and skipper Ben Stokes, their approach to situations has changed.

"We are trying to rewrite how Test cricket is being played, in England especially," he said. "All the different plans that we put together over the last four or five weeks, for every different situation is something we'll look to carry forward. It's not always about bowling top of off or drying up, it's how are we going to take wickets? That's what you need to do as a bowling attack, take 10 wickets."

Specific plans were made for players, which was quite evident when Shreyas Iyer came on to bat on the 4th day. McCullum, being his IPL franchise coach, knew what needed to be done. There were a plethora of short balls until Anderson caught him off one. Kohli was given a lot of balls outside off stump, making him chase for runs.

When England batters came out to bat, the intentions were clear as they didn't want to sit back and have the opposition on their backs. This has a lot to do with the team's change in mindset and thought process. 

Stokes claims it has been the most fun five weeks he has had in his career. When the team has better clarity in what they want to do, it makes everything a lot easier. It takes away the additional pressure.

The defending world champions in the 50-over format are currently positioned in the lower half of the World Test Championship table. They will have to continue their good performance in Tests to climb up the table and qualify for the WTC finals.